Is the dodo real or fake?

Excuse me, could you please clarify something for me? I've come across this question, "Is the dodo real or fake?" and I'm honestly quite confused. As someone with an interest in biology and the natural world, I'm under the impression that the dodo was a real bird that existed in the past. However, I've also heard some people claim that it was a myth or a fictional creature. Could you perhaps shed some light on this matter and help me understand whether the dodo is indeed a real or a fake species? Thank you in advance for your assistance.