Dhaka, Aug. 9 -- New research into the extinct dodo bird has revealed previously unknown clues about its sensory abilities, suggesting that the species may have had a stronger sense of smell, greater sensitivity to touch and a more flexible pattern of daily activity than its closest living relatives.

Scientists used high-resolution CT scans and digital reconstructions of dodo skulls to examine the spaces where the birds' brains once existed. Their findings indicate that the dodo may have been active not only during daylight but also around dawn and dusk.

The research also suggests that the dodo relied more heavily on its sense of smell than modern pigeons and doves. Its large upper beak, meanwhile, appears to have been particularly well...