Didunculus

/dɪˈdʌŋkjʊləs/ noun

Definition

A genus of small, rare dodos native to the Samoan Islands, including the tooth-billed pigeon.

Etymology

A Latinized genus name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from 'didus' (dodo) with a diminutive suffix '-unculus', meaning a small or lesser dodo relative.

Kelly Says

The Samoan tooth-billed pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris) survived when its famous cousin the Mauritius dodo vanished, likely because Samoa was more remote—it's a living fossil that shows what ancient pigeons were like before humans arrived.

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