The Tragic Tale of the Dodo: Extinction of an Iconic Bird

Featured in "A Symphony of Echoes" by Jodi Taylor

In “A Symphony of Echoes” by Jodi Taylor, Max and the team from the St Mary’s Institute of Historical Research jump back to Mauritius on 3 Sept 1666 to find some dodos.

Here we explore the fascinating natural history, ecological significance, and ultimate demise of the dodo.

Once abundant and widespread, the dodo met a tragic end at the hands of European explorers and settlers in the 17th century. The dodo, a flightless bird native to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, has become an emblem of extinction and the devastating impact of human activity on vulnerable species.

The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) belonged to the family of pigeons and doves (Columbidae) and was characterized by its large size, plump body, stout legs, and distinctively hooked beak. Adult dodos stood about one meter (three feet) tall and weighed up to 20 kilograms (44 pounds). They had a rounded body covered in grayish-brown feathers, with a tuft of curly feathers at the base of their tail and a bare, blue-gray head.

Endemic to the island of Mauritius, the dodo inhabited dense forests and coastal areas, where it fed on fruits, seeds, and the occasional small animal. With no natural predators on the island, the dodo evolved into a flightless, ground-dwelling bird with little fear of humans or other animals.

The first recorded encounter between humans and dodos occurred in the late 16th century when Dutch sailors arrived on the shores of Mauritius. The sailors were struck by the peculiar appearance of the dodos and found them easy prey due to their lack of fear and inability to fly. Over the ensuing decades, European explorers, settlers, and introduced animals such as rats, pigs, and monkeys further decimated dodo populations and destroyed their habitat.

By the mid-17th century, the dodo had been driven to extinction, with the last recorded sighting occurring around 1662. The rapid decline of the dodo population was due to a combination of factors, including habitat destruction, hunting by humans and introduced animals, and competition for food resources.

The extinction of the dodo represents one of the earliest recorded instances of human-driven extinction and serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of island ecosystems and the delicate balance between species. Despite its relatively short-lived existence, the dodo has left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of humanity, symbolizing the fragility of life and the consequences of reckless exploitation of natural resources.

Although the dodo is no longer with us, its memory lives on in the annals of natural history and popular culture. The dodo has been immortalized in literature, art, and folklore, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship.

Efforts to preserve the memory of the dodo and raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation continue to this day. Museums, zoos, and conservation organizations around the world commemorate the dodo through exhibits, educational programs, and advocacy campaigns aimed at protecting endangered species and their habitats.

Find out how the team from St Mary’s fare in Mauritius and what noise the dodo made in “A Symphony of Echoes” by Jodi Taylor. Available in paperback, eBook and audiobook formats.

I hope you have enjoyed this foray into history. Please subscribe to read more historical articles related to Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St Mary’s series.