Dididae

/dɪˈdɪdeɪ/ noun

Definition

A family of extinct flightless birds from Mauritius, related to pigeons, which includes the famous dodo.

Etymology

From New Latin, based on 'dodo,' the most famous member of this family. The taxonomic name reflects 19th-century classification of these extinct island species.

Kelly Says

The dodo family (Dididae) went extinct so quickly after European arrival in Mauritius that we know surprisingly little about them—some species disappeared before naturalists could even describe them.

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