The appearance of the dodo in New Zealand dates back to 1000 BC. These giant birds are now extinct, but before they existed, the local Maori and dodo lived together for centuries. Māori use these birds as a food source, and the dodo is also a very important totemic spirit in Maori culture.
The dodo, also known as the moa, is an extinct bird. They are one of the large flying birds that live in New Zealand, reaching a length of up to 3 meters, making them one of the largest living or extinct birds. The name of the dodo is derived from the Maori word meaning "bird with crunching bones". This is because the bones of the dodo are very hard and the sound produced by friction can be heard.
Dodo birds have many unique characteristics. They have long legs and necks, long red throat pouches and few wings. Their wings are not fully developed, so they hardly fly. Dodo walks very quickly on the ground, and the feathers on their bodies can be used to keep warm. Dodo birds prefer to forage for food in New Zealand's forests, eating mainly the seeds and berries of plants as well as insects and other small animals.
With the influx of Maori and the establishment of colonies, the dodo suffered great damage. Europeans brought with them many exotic species such as cats, mice and dogs, which became the main natural enemies of the dodo. Maori customs also contributed directly to the decline of the dodo. Māori make a red paint called "kokowai", which is processed from dodo eggs. At the same time, the meat and feathers of the dodo are widely used in trade and gifting.
By the late 19th century, dodo populations were extremely rare. In 1907, the body of a dodo was found, which was the last recorded discovery of a dodo in nature. By the 50s of the 20th century, there were no more dodo birds in the world.
#头条创作挑战赛 #
