The Dodo bird, once considered a dumb bird, has been extinct since the late 1600s. The Dodo bird’s story begins 20 million years ago when tropical pigeons migrated across the Indian Ocean and arrived at an archipelago off the coast of Madagascar. Eight million years ago, an island formed by undersea volcanoes, now Mauritius, populated the island and a new species of bird emerged, the Dodo.

As their flight muscles grew shorter, the Dodos could no longer fly due to them not requiring it to run from predators. They adapted by laying eggs on the forest floor and eating fruits and nuts. However, they faced multiple disasters, including a major drought 4,300 years ago. They survived really well but more disasters were to come such as humans.

The Dutch explored the island in 1598. Explorers and sailors hunted and killed the native Dodos as they were known to be exotic animals. The last sighting of the Dodo bird was in 1692, and by the 1700s, they were known to be extinct. Though, more factors included invasive species brought to the island by humans such as pigs, cows, and monkeys. Dodo eggs got eaten and they had competition for food as well.

We might not be able to see those animals again, but we can sure admire them and their race for survival.One thing’s for sure though. Their tale of them being a dumb bird… is a myth.