Pigeon Guillemot vs Great Auk
Cepphus columba compared with Pinguinus impennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pigeon Guillemot | Great Auk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cepphus columba | Pinguinus impennis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae | Alcidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.7 cm (13.7 in) | — |
| Weight | 493.6666666666667 g (17.41 oz) | 4750.0 g (167.55 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Pigeon Guillemot
Extinct
Great Auk
About These Birds
Pigeon Guillemot
Pigeon Guillemot, 30–36 cm, breeds on rocky shorelines of the North Pacific from California to Alaska and Kamchatka. Black plumage with white wing patch bisected by a black bar; red feet and mouth lining. Benthic diver; takes crabs, shrimp, and bottom fish. Partially migratory; short coastal movements.
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.