Scribd
Upload
21 views

Assignment 3 - The Dodo Bird

Uploaded by

gabriel.corum
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
21 views

Assignment 3 - The Dodo Bird

Uploaded by

gabriel.corum
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Gabriel Corum

RNR 150 – Sustainable Earth


Assignment 3: Natural History Report of an Extinct Organism

Species: Dodo Bird


Family: Raphidae
Order: Raphiformes
Close Extant (Living) Relative: The Nicobar Pigeon

Physical Appearance: Based on fossils, this species had grey/brown plumage, with light
primary feathers and had more curly feathers higher on its rear. The head of this bird is greyish
in color and naked as well. The beak had a mix of grey, black, and yellow color mix. Lastly, the
bird had very stout legs with a dark black color scheme. The birds were exceptionally large,
coming in at around 1m (3.3 ft) tall and averaged anywhere from 20-60 pounds. The wingspan
could be anywhere around 2 feet.
Foraging Behavior: The Dodo bird was known to be clumsy, stupid, and slow. With that being
said, they did have extraordinarily strong beaks to defend themselves.
Habitat Where It Lived: Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean. The birds were known to eat
fallen fruits, nuts, seeds, bulbs, and roots.
Time When It Lived: First time seen that was noted was in 1507 by Portuguese sailors.
Ecological Relationships: A symbiotic relationship existed between the birds and the plants. For
example, fruit was an important food source to the birds.
Reason for Extinction: The Dodo birds were over-harvesting birds, combined with habitat loss.
Not only was this a huge loss for the birds, but there were also new birds introduced, with all
these circumstances, it was too much for the birds to handle, and the last bird was killed in 1681.
Implications for Close Relative: The Asian Nicobar Pigeon unfortunately is hunted, traded, and
taken for their gizzard stones. Like the Dodo bird, they are also losing their habitats and new
non-native species are being introduced in their breeding islands, such as cats and rats.

You might also like