Great Auk
Pinguinus impennis
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<birdfyi-bird slug="pinguinus-impennis"></birdfyi-bird>The Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) is a bird species in the family Alcidae (auks & puffins), within the order Charadriiformes (shorebirds & gulls). Recorded measurements include a weight of 4.8 kg. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Extinct.
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About
Great Auk was the Northern Hemisphere's giant flightless auk, 75–85 cm, hunted to extinction in 1844. The last pair was killed on Eldey Island, Iceland. Black above, white below with a white oval eye patch; vestigial wings. Spent most of its life at sea; bred colonially on Atlantic islands and rocks.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 4750.0 g | 167.55 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO. Incubation: 39-44 days. Fledging: 1-18 days.
Clutch Size
1
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls) |
| Family | Alcidae (Auks & Puffins) |
| Genus | Pinguinus |
| Species | Pinguinus impennis |
Distribution
Great Auk has been recorded in 2 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Great Auk endangered?
How does the Great Auk nest?
How big is the Great Auk?
What order and family does the Great Auk belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Alcidae family