How does the flightless bird dodo protect itself?

Answer 1

An ostrich will either puff up and spread out its wings to look bigger and scare off the predator or it will use its beak or legs.

Different species have different methods.

In Australia, there are no natural predators of healthy adult emus. However, they do possess a unique defence capability, which would aid them if they were in the position of having to outrun a large predator. When running at top speed, the physiological structure of their feet enables them to make sudden 180-degree turns which not even a small cat can do: by the time a bigger creature slowed enough to make the turn, the emu would be 50-60 metres ahead in the opposite direction.

The kiwi of New Zealand is nocturnal, which enables it to hunt for food when there are fewer predators about. The kiwi digs a burrow for nesting, which provides protection from all natural predators, but it is quite helpless against introduced cats, dogs and stoats.

A cassowary has a hard helmet on top of its head, and powerful legs with very sharp claws. They are well-matched for native predators, but can be run to death by dogs.

Answer 2

Once the dodo (Raphus cucullatus) and their eggs were discovered by sailors, and found to be good to eat, they were eventually wiped out - hence the saying, "As dead as a Dodo!" The first recorded mention of the dodo was in 1598. The last accepted sighting of a dodo was in 1662. Being flightless, they really had no defence - not only from man, but also from the domesticated animals (dogs, cats, and rats) that man brought with them.