The dodo bird was a flightless bird discovered in 1505 on a small island in the Indian Ocean, and became extinct by 1662 due to human activities and introduced animals. The name 'dodo' derives from the Portuguese word 'doido,' meaning 'fool,' reflecting its fearless nature towards humans. It weighed about 20-25 kg and stood 35-50 cm tall, making it relatively larger than a turkey.