Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
The dodo was a large flightless bird which used to inhabit the island of Mauritius.
History
- 1507 – Portuguese ships transporting 1 stopped at the island to collect food and water.
- 1638 – The Dutch established a 2 on the island.
- They killed the dodo birds for their meat.
- The last one was killed in 1681.
Description
- The only record we have is written descriptions and pictures (possibly unreliable).
- A Dutch painting suggests the dodo was very 3 .
- The only remaining soft tissue is a dried 4 .
- Recent studies of a dodo skeleton suggest the birds were capable of rapid 5 .
- It’s thought they were able to use their small wings to maintain 6 .
- Their 7 was of average size.
- Their sense of 8 enabled them to find food.
Reasons for extinction
- Hunting was probably not the main cause.
- Sailors brought dogs and monkeys.
- 9 also escaped onto the island and ate the birds’ eggs.
- The arrival of farming meant the 10 was destroyed.