Long-billed Murrelet vs Great Auk
Brachyramphus perdix compared with Pinguinus impennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Long-billed Murrelet | Great Auk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachyramphus perdix | Pinguinus impennis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae | Alcidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 26.9 cm (10.6 in) | — |
| Weight | 308.0 g (10.86 oz) | 4750.0 g (167.55 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Long-billed Murrelet
Extinct
Great Auk
About These Birds
Long-billed Murrelet
Long-billed Murrelet, 26–28 cm, breeds remarkably far inland in old-growth forests of Siberia, nesting directly on mossy tree branches — no burrow. Sea-going for the rest of the year, wintering off eastern Asian coasts. Piscivore; dives for small fish. Near Threatened; nesting ecology unusual for alcids.
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.