Images 1-6 are depictions of more scientifically accurate Dodos. The first illustration in particular, which was created by Ustad Mansur, is considered to be the most accurate depiction of a Dodo that we have. We know this as not only was Ustad alive back when Dodos were still around, but his illustrations of other birds and creatures are known to be incredibly detailed and accurate (Ustad literally means master, as that was the title he was given rather than his actual name). So the illustration here was taken from a live specimen rather than crudely done taxidermy's or overfed specimens, and wasn't done by an amateur who wasn't exactly concerned about 100% accuracy. 

As you can see, Dodos were on the more slimmer side rather than awkward and fat like in most depictions. In fact, judging by the skeletal structures of their legs and some accounts from sailors, they were pretty nimble and active; using their strong legs to get around in the dense woods they lived in. 

Then there's the beak. Definitely the most defining and odd feature of this bird. It wasn't for show that's for sure, as they would dine on fallen fruit, nuts, seeds, and possibly crabs and other shellfish. Another misconception about Dodos is that they were these harmless and mindless creatures that approached humans with no means to defend themselves. While it is true that Dodos had no fear of humans and approached them out of curiosity, they weren't entirely helpless. One account mentions them using their beaks for defense. Considering that they used those beaks to crush fruit and nuts. their bites probably hurt pretty damn bad. 

>"The mayors are superb and proud. They presented themselves with an unyielding, stern face and wide open mouth, very jaunty and audacious of gait. They did not want to budge before us; their war weapon was the mouth, with which they could bite fiercely. Their food was raw fruit; they were not dressed very well, but were rich and fat, therefore we brought many of them on board, to the contentment of us all."

So in that sense, I suppose the modern day equivalent would be Quokkas or Cabybaras. Sure they're pretty chill for the most part, but if you manage to annoy one enough or try to attack, they **will** do something about it and can leave some nasty damage. Very few animals are truly chill and passive.

One more interesting thing about their beaks is that you may have noticed that they bear resemblance to [baby pigeons.](https://i.redd.it/imvyiqsh9rr01.jpg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=5a52f12b3c744d1632f45a661ec133fb65b898b9) This is because Dodos are apart of the pigeon family and they're largest species in fact. Like most flightless birds that are found on islands, they originally did have the ability to fly. But over millions of years of evolution, they lost their ability to fly, lost their fear of potential predators, and experienced [island gigantism.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_gigantism) All due to the fact that the island they were on, Mauritius, had no predators. So essentially they became big, happy, nimble babies running about! 

Pretty smart babies too, since as they were pigeons, they most likely had similar intelligence to them, [ and pigeons are quite intelligent.](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/26/pigeons-smart-ai-learning) Yet another misconception about Dodos. They weren't stupid just because they didn't fear humans. Penguins don't fear humans either due to having no natural land based predators, [yet you don't see anyone calling them stupid.](https://animalreads.com/are-penguins-smart/) 

Alas, the Dodos would end up going extinct eventually. Being first seen in 1507, first documented in 1598, and estimated to have gone extinct somewhere between the 1660's and 1680's. Millions of years of evolution, just to be completely gone in less than 200. Part of that could be due to hunting, since their tameness and curiosity would be taken advantage of. 

>"These animals on our coming up to them stared at us and remained quiet where they stand, not knowing whether they had wings to fly away or legs to run off, and suffering us to approach them as close as we pleased. Amongst these birds were those which in India they call Dod-aersen (being a kind of very big goose); these birds are unable to fly, and instead of wings, they merely have a few small pins, yet they can run very swiftly. We drove them together into one place in such a manner that we could catch them with our hands, and when we held one of them by its leg, and that upon this it made a great noise, the others all on a sudden came running as fast as they could to its assistance, and by which they were caught and made prisoners also."

But it's more likely that it was due to other factors like habitat loss and the introduction of invasive species such as pigs, rats, dogs, ect that ate the eggs of the birds and their resources. Hunting had little to do with it. Although some sailors didn't mind the taste of them, others thought they tasted bland or downright terrible. Earning Dodos the name "Walghvoghel." Walghe meaning tasteless or sickly and voghel meaning bird. "Tasteless/sickly bird."

One final thing that I have to say about them (and because I couldn't fit this anywhere) is the origin of the name. Dodo could possibly originate from "Dodaars". Meaning fat-arse or knot-arse. But the name also could've possibly originated from the low cooing sounds that they made. "Doo-doo... doo-doo... doo-doo." So... like a real life Pokemon :3

It's no wonder why Dodos have become so iconic and why they're probably the first thing that comes to mind when people think of the word "extinct". They look strange yet cute. Familiar yet still unique. Throw in all of those misconceptions and inaccurate depictions of them into the pot and they feel mythical almost. They didn't go extinct all that long ago, and yet we don't know much about them aside from some brief and vague notes. 

It's tragic that they and many other animals are gone thanks to us. Something that could've been easily avoided if we were more educated about how the world worked back then and treated it with care. I can easily see them being lovely to meet in person. 

The Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) from real life