Recent scientific findings are challenging the popular perception of the dodo bird as unintelligent, suggesting its cognitive capabilities were significantly underestimated. A study published in a zoological journal indicates that the dodo may have been as intelligent as a modern pigeon, contrary to the enduring stereotype of the bird as a "bird brain."
For decades, the dodo, which went extinct in the late 17th century, has been synonymous with stupidity. This notion was partly fueled by anecdotal accounts of sailors allegedly luring dodos into captivity by using their distress calls to attract others. The expression "going the way of the dodo" itself signifies becoming obsolete or extinct.
Reassessing Cognitive Capacity
To investigate the dodo's intelligence, an international team of researchers utilized high-resolution CT scans of three exceptionally preserved dodo skulls. These scans enabled the creation of detailed 3D models, allowing scientists to analyze the brain's size and structure. The findings were then compared with those of various pigeon species.
The study revealed that the dodo's forebrain, which is associated with cognition and memory, was proportionally similar to that of other pigeons relative to its overall brain size. "In other words, there is no evidence the dodo was less intelligent than any other pigeon," the researchers stated. This aligns with previous research indicating that the dodo's overall brain size was comparable to other pigeons when adjusted for body mass.
Adaptations and Survival
The researchers also explored the dodo's famously trusting nature towards humans. They theorized that this behavior stemmed from the absence of natural predators on its native island of Mauritius prior to human arrival, a common trait among island species. The flightless bird was eventually wiped out by Dutch sailors and the invasive species, such as dogs, cats, pigs, and rats, that accompanied them.
While the dodo's cognitive abilities were found to be comparable to pigeons, its optic lobes—responsible for processing visual information—were smaller. This suggests an adaptation for low-light conditions, possibly enabling the dodo to forage at night. This nocturnal foraging could have provided an advantage over competitors, including giant tortoises, that were active only during the day.
The research challenges the long-standing portrayal of the dodo as a "clumsy, foolish daytime forager." The study's findings suggest the extinct bird possessed adaptations and cognitive abilities that allowed it to thrive in its environment before human impact.
Efforts are underway by companies like Colossal Biosciences to potentially bring back extinct species, including the dodo, through advanced genetic and reproductive technologies, raising possibilities of future insights into these creatures.