Talk:Dodo

Dried ? Head and Leg - Or plaster cast

Dried head and leg of a dodo

I think the recent addition of the picture the "Dried Head and Leg" from Brighton might be plaster casts - could someone who knows check this. (Msrasnw (talk) 20:21, 2 April 2010 (UTC))

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History owns the only remaining tissue specimen, so it would be very unlikely the Brighton museum owns an original. The object in this photograph shows scratches revealing the white plaster. I am quite sure it is a plaster cast. Jan Arkesteijn (talk) 09:18, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

A picture of the actual head and foot would be nicer, but so far theis is pretty cool. FunkMonk (talk) 14:29, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

I read in the book "Extinct Birds" by Errol Fuller that the dried leg has been lost, any other confirmation of this? FunkMonk (talk) 16:34, 8 January 2011 (UTC)

Haven't got the book, if I (somehow) get to the Brighton Museum anytime, I'd be able to check...but my chances of getting there anytime soon are very, very, small. Crimsonraptor | (Contact me) Dumpster dive if you must 16:36, 8 January 2011 (UTC)

It appears much of the soft tissue of the originals has been lost due to dissection and decay, so the casts probably show the initial state of those remnants more accurately these days[1] FunkMonk (talk) 02:29, 11 January 2011 (UTC)

Return of the Dodo

According to a recent UK TV programme there is a possibility that the Dodo bird could be cloned and returned to Mauritious. Any other information available? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.93.199.154 (talk) 09:42, 9 October 2010 (UTC)

• [2] - But cloning of Birds is still impossible. Krasss (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 13:48, 10 October 2010 (UTC).

If we really want to start this discussion...it might, but it ain't happening anytime soon, and until we see the dodos waddling around we probably shouldn't add it to the article. Case closed. Crimsonraptor (talk) 17:18, 5 December 2010 (UTC)

Why souldn't birds be clonable? And even if there is an attempt, or considerations of attempting, clone a dodo, it would be notable for the article, whether it is successful or not. FunkMonk (talk) 17:21, 5 December 2010 (UTC)

Surprisingly I haven't yet heard of anything (at least where I am) of dodos being cloned. When someone tries to, I'll think about it. Crimsonraptor (talk) 01:57, 11 December 2010 (UTC)

Dodo meaning Nap

The word 'dodo' is used in Mauritian Creole to mean a 'nap' ("I'm going to have a dodo"). This is probably local slang refferencing the birds extinction. I know this because my Grandfather is Mauritian.The word 'dodo' is used in Mauritian Creole to mean a 'nap' ("I'm going to have a dodo"). This is probably local slang refferencing the birds extinction. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.178.80.191 (talk) 13:22, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Just a quick note on the veritability of the above. I know this because my Grandfather is Mauritian and speaks the language. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.178.80.191 (talk) 13:25, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

It's more widespread than Mauritius, see for instance http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=224036 and http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Think-Daily-Nap-Time-Should-Be-Mandatory/80678 If Dodo as Nap is notable it could be added to Dodo (disambiguation), but not here. Jan Arkesteijn (talk) 15:27, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Expression should be included?

Anyone heard "Dumb as a Dodo" maybe its an irish thing....? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.146.31.136 (talk) 18:05, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

The article mentions "dead as a dodo," is that what you mean? I've never heard "dumb as a dodo." Where else have you heard this? Crimsonraptor | (Contact me) Dumpster dive if you must 18:15, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

Just one link here http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/02/0227_0228_dodo_2.html there are more, i thought everyone would have known it but as i said maybe its an irish thing? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.146.31.136 (talk) 20:33, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.150.251.153 (talk) 20:55, 19 February 2011 (UTC)

Movie reference in this article.

In "Follow That Bird," Big Bird is NOT painted blue to match his dodo family. He is painted blue by his captors to hide his identity.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

I think Lewis Carroll's nickname was dodo, and maybe that was why he included it in the book? Apparently his real name was Dodgson, and he spoke with a stammer. Of interest? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.44.25.242 (talk) 16:20, 4 March 2011 (UTC)

'Vindicated' does not mean eradicated, and the references are wrong

In the same year in which George Clarke started to publish his reports, the newly vindicated bird was featured as a character in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. With the popularity of the book, the dodo became a well-known and easily recognizable icon of extinction.[40]

[40]^ Mayell, Hillary (2002-02-28). "Extinct Dodo Related to Pigeons, DNA Shows". National Geographic News. Retrieved 2009-01-19.

First, this reference has nothing to do with either George Clarke or Lewis Carroll's book. No other reference is made to George Clarke in the article. The references in this article are horrible.

Second, George Clarke studied the species' extinction. I don't see how he could have ever 'vindicated' the bird, because that word literally means justified.

Unfortunately, this article cannot be edited by me, and the people who can are incompetent. Way to entirely miss the point of Wikipedia and ensure an article's poor quality. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.190.87.232 (talk) 02:33, 13 March 2011 (UTC)

You could always register an account and help out. TallNapoleon (talk) 07:09, 13 March 2011 (UTC)

I did not write that part, but I'm sure the reference is to the fact that it was widely believed that dodos were just legendary creatures not long before that, and that the animal was scientifically "vindicated" later, as in it was considered a valid taxon. It surely isn't referring to eradication, since that would hardly qualify as a "recent" event even at the time. So please try to think a little before complaining, and shut your mouth if you can't be polite. FunkMonk (talk) 07:24, 13 March 2011 (UTC)

New Data Shows Smaller Dodo

Two new studies show that the dodo had a smaller weight than the average of 20 kg quoted in the current Wikipedia article. One study finds that the average weight was 10.2 kg. The second study states the average weight was between 9.5 - 18 kg. Paragraph 1 and the first paragraph under the "Description" heading should be updated with this information. Delwinelder (talk) 18:05, 13 May 2011 (UTC)