Great Auk
NameGreat Auk
Common NameGreat Auk
Scientific NamePinguinus impennis
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)15
Length (cm)75
Weight (g)5000
Plumage DetailsAdults had glossy black plumage on the head, back, and wings, contrasting sharply with a pure white belly. A distinctive oval white patch was present between the eye and the bill. The bill was large, black, and grooved.
Vocalization / CallKnown to produce low croaks and guttural sounds, particularly during breeding season. Vocalizations were not extensively documented before its extinction.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusextinct
Geographic RangeHistorically bred on rocky islands in the North Atlantic, including Funk Island off Newfoundland, St. Kilda, and other islands around Iceland, Greenland, Norway, and the British Isles. Its winter range extended further south.
Identifying Featureslarge size, flightless, black and white plumage, distinctive white eye patch, heavy grooved bill, upright posture on land, webbed feet
Description
The Great Auk was a large, flightless seabird of the North Atlantic, characterized by its striking black and white plumage. It was an excellent swimmer and diver, spending most of its life at sea but coming ashore to breed on rocky islands.
