The dodo bird had a secret sensory world scientists are only now discovering

Recent high-resolution CT scans conducted on the world's rarest dodo skulls have provided a transformative look at the sensory capabilities of the extinct flightless bird. Traditionally depicted as unintelligent and simple, the dodo possessed a significantly more complex biology than previously thought. The imaging revealed an enlarged olfactory bulb, suggesting a much stronger sense of smell than other pigeon-related species. Furthermore, the internal structure of the beak indicates high sensitivity, likely used for foraging in diverse forest environments. Analysis of the orbits and brain morphology also suggests that these birds may have been active during crepuscular hours—dawn and dusk—rather than strictly diurnal. These findings fundamentally challenge historical characterizations of the dodo, painting a portrait of a highly adapted, sensory-rich creature whose ecological role was far more sophisticated than long-standing popular myths have suggested. Read the full article in Paleontology News.