The dodo, long regarded as a symbol of extinction combined with perceived feeblemindedness, may deserve a reassessment of its cognitive abilities. Recent scientific analysis suggests that this extinct species was likely as intelligent as its modern pigeon relatives.

Researchers conducted CT scans on three exceptionally well-preserved dodo skulls to examine the brain’s structure and proportions. By comparing these measurements with those of living members of the pigeon family, the team found that the dodo’s forebrain—an area associated with memory and cognition—was similar in relative size to that of extant pigeons. These birds are known for their capacity to recognize human faces, solve puzzles, and even acquire rudimentary reading skills, indicating a relatively advanced level of intelligence among the group.

In addition to cognitive abilities, the study also uncovered evidence suggesting the dodo might have had the capacity for low-light vision. This adaptation could imply that the bird was active during twilight hours or at night, which would be unusual among its pigeon relatives. According to Professor Vera Weisbecker of Flinders University in Adelaide, this finding may change how the dodo’s behavior and environment are envisioned, emphasizing an ability to navigate the dim forest habitats of Mauritius at dawn, dusk, or nighttime.

The dodo became extinct by the end of the 17th century, largely due to overhunting by humans who encountered a species that exhibited little fear of people. The prevailing image of the dodo as a slow-witted, clumsy bird is now being challenged through this research, which highlights that it likely possessed comparable levels of intelligence to living pigeons.

While the dodo’s fate remains a cautionary tale about human impact on biodiversity, the new findings afford a more nuanced understanding of the bird’s ecology and cognition, suggesting it was a far more capable and adapted creature than commonly portrayed.