Kittlitz's Murrelet vs Great Auk
Brachyramphus brevirostris compared with Pinguinus impennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Kittlitz's Murrelet | Great Auk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachyramphus brevirostris | Pinguinus impennis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae | Alcidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.6 cm (10.9 in) | — |
| Weight | 233.0333333333333 g (8.22 oz) | 4750.0 g (167.55 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Kittlitz's Murrelet
Extinct
Great Auk
About These Birds
Kittlitz's Murrelet
Kittlitz's Murrelet, 23–25 cm, is an enigmatic auk that nests on rocky tundra above the tree line in Alaska and eastern Russia, often near glaciers. Mottled brown in summer, white in winter. Critically dependent on glacial outwash for foraging; Vulnerable as glaciers recede. Piscivore.
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.