The dodo may not have been the clumsy large bird described for centuries.
Digital examination of skulls indicates that it had a well-developed sense of smell and a sensitive beak, two abilities useful for finding food on the ground.
The animal lived only on the island of Mauritius before its disappearance in the 17th century. Well-preserved remains are scarce, especially complete skulls. This rarity severely limits knowledge of its senses, behavior, and daily habits.
To obtain new information without damaging the rare specimens, scientists used computed tomography. This technique produces internal images using X-rays. The data are then used to reconstruct in three dimensions the skull cavities and the shape left by the brain.
This internal imprint, called an endocast, does not reproduce every detail of the brain. It nevertheless provides information about the relative size of certain regions, nerves, and passages linked to sensory organs. The results were compared with those of the Rodrigues solitaire and several related birds.
The dodo's olfactory bulbs appear relatively developed. These brain structures process odors. Their shape is consistent with an animal capable of using its sense of smell more than many modern birds, perhaps to locate fruits, seeds, or other food in the vegetation.
Its beak provides another clue. The nerve canals seem compatible with marked tactile sensitivity. Concretely, the dodo could probably gather information by touching the ground or objects with its beak, as do certain species that search for food that is not easily visible.
The anatomy of the eye and associated regions also suggests possible activity at dawn or dusk. This interpretation remains cautious: a skull provides neither a precise schedule nor direct observation of behavior. It only offers anatomical clues compatible with certain lifestyles.
These results especially correct the image of an animal with reduced abilities. They show a bird adapted to its island, equipped with sensory means consistent with a terrestrial life. Researchers will now be able to compare these reconstructions with more island birds to better separate inherited traits from adaptations specific to the dodo.