 Observations of the Rodrigues solitaire in life indicate that they were highly territorial . They presumably settled disputes by striking each other with their wings ; to aid this purpose , they used the knobs on their wrists . Fractures in their wing bones also indicate that they were used in combat . It has also been suggested that these fractures may have been the result of a hereditary bone disease rather than battle @-@ injuries . But in all extant birds where carpal spurs and knobs are present , these are used as weapons without exceptions . Though some dodo bones have been found with healed fractures , it had weak pectoral muscles and more reduced wings in comparison with the Rodrigues solitaire . Since Rodrigues receives less rainfall and has more seasonal variation than Mauritius , which would have affected the availability of resources on the island , the Rodrigues solitaire would have more reason to evolve aggressive territorial behaviour . Several accounts state that they also defended themselves with a powerful bite . 
