Crested Auklet vs Great Auk
Aethia cristatella compared with Pinguinus impennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Crested Auklet | Great Auk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aethia cristatella | Pinguinus impennis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae | Alcidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.9 cm (11.0 in) | — |
| Weight | 260.0 g (9.17 oz) | 4750.0 g (167.55 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Crested Auklet
Extinct
Great Auk
About These Birds
Crested Auklet
Crested Auklet, 23–26 cm, breeds in huge colonies on Aleutian and Bering Sea islands, forming spectacular wheeling flocks. Elaborate forward-curving crest, small orange bill. Males emit a citrus-tangerine scent from nape used in courtship. Planktivore; dives for euphausiids and copepods in icy waters.
Great Auk
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.