1-156-988 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Dodo, c1804. The dodo (Raphus cucullatus, formerly Didus ineptus), an extinct flightless bird from Mauritius. First observed by Portuguese sailors in about 1507, by 1681 the dodo was extinct due to a combination of circumstances including killing for food by men, introduction of animals such as the rat, and destruction of its forest habitat.