The Rodrigues solitaire is an extinct flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Rodrigues, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. A member of the family of pigeons and doves, it was most closely related to the also extinct dodo of the nearby island Mauritius, the two forming the subfamily Raphinae. The Nicobar pigeon is their closest living genetic relative.
Region
Mascarene Islands
Typical Environment
Confined to Rodrigues, it occupied native dry and semi-evergreen forests and scrubby woodlands. It foraged primarily on the forest floor beneath canopy trees, taking fallen fruits, seeds, and leaves. Coastal plains, limestone plateaus, and inland valleys with dense understory provided food and cover. Ground cover and thickets were important for nesting and evading predators.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Rodrigues solitaire was a large, flightless pigeon endemic to Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean and the closest known relative of the dodo. Early accounts describe strong sexual dimorphism and bony carpal knobs on the wings used in territorial fights. It nested on the ground, often within rings of stones, and became extinct in the 18th century due to hunting and introduced animals. Its closest living relative is the Nicobar pigeon.
A Nicobar pigeon, the closest living relative of the Rodrigues solitaire and the dodo according to DNA studies
Restoration by Frederick William Frohawk, 1907
![1708 drawing by François Leguat, the only known illustration of this species by someone who observed it alive[30]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Leguat1891solitaire.jpg/480px-Leguat1891solitaire.jpg)
1708 drawing by François Leguat, the only known illustration of this species by someone who observed it alive[30]
1854 restoration by Hermann Schlegel
![Photo collage restoration of a nesting female and a male in their environment[40]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Pezophaps_solitaria_recreation.jpg/480px-Pezophaps_solitaria_recreation.jpg)
Photo collage restoration of a nesting female and a male in their environment[40]
Frontispiece to Leguat's 1708 memoir, showing his settlement on Rodrigues, and a solitaire in the middle
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
flightless; ran swiftly
Social Behavior
Reported to form monogamous pairs that defended territories vigorously, striking with their wing knobs. Nests were on the ground, often encircled by stones, with both parents involved in guarding. Breeding likely seasonal with strong site fidelity.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Described as deep cooing notes and low booming or drumming sounds, sometimes produced with wing displays. Calls carried through forest clearings during territorial interactions.
