FaunaHub
EXExtinctPartial review

Dodo

Raphus cucullatus

A model reconstruction of the dodo (Raphus cucullatus), a large flightless bird.

Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) — a model reconstruction of the extinct bird.

Image: Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

At a glance

IUCN category
EX · Extinct
Animal group
Birds
Population trend
Trend unknown
Last verified

Conservation overview

The dodo was a large, flightless pigeon-relative of Mauritius that was driven to extinction in the late 17th century, within decades of human arrival. It is assessed as Extinct.

It has become the world's best-known symbol of human-caused extinction.

Range & habitat

Formerly the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

Major threats

Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.

  • Hunting by arriving humans
  • Introduced animals eating eggs and young
  • Habitat loss

Why it matters

The dodo is the defining emblem of extinction caused by people — a reminder of how quickly island species can vanish once humans and their animals arrive.

Gallery

A dodo reconstruction on museum display.

Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) reconstruction on museum display.

Image: BazzaDaRambler, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sources

Sources for Dodo

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the dodo related to?
Despite its bulky look, the dodo was a member of the pigeon and dove family; its closest living relatives are pigeons. It had become large and flightless on a predator-free island.
Why did the dodo go extinct?
Published accounts cite hunting by arriving sailors, introduced animals (pigs, rats, monkeys) eating its eggs and chicks, and habitat loss. It was gone within roughly a century of humans reaching Mauritius.

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