Copenhagen Dodo Skull Provides New Insight into Extinct Bird

Only two complete dodo skulls are known to exist worldwide: one is housed at the Natural History Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the other resides in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Both specimens have survived for centuries, offering a rare glimpse into the anatomy of the extinct flightless bird that once roamed Mauritius.

The Copenhagen skull has recently been incorporated into an international research effort led by scientists at the University of Lethbridge in Canada. By applying advanced imaging techniques and comparative analysis, the team aims to answer a long‑standing question: how did the dodo perceive its environment? The study will combine data from both skulls with fossilized remains and historical accounts to reconstruct sensory capabilities and ecological interactions.

The collaboration underscores the importance of preserving and sharing rare specimens for scientific discovery. Findings from the project are expected to refine our understanding of dodo biology and contribute to broader discussions on island extinction dynamics and the evolutionary history of avian species.