Black Guillemot vs Great Auk
Cepphus grylle compared with Pinguinus impennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black Guillemot | Great Auk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cepphus grylle | Pinguinus impennis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae | Alcidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 30.8 cm (12.1 in) | — |
| Weight | 421.8666666666666 g (14.88 oz) | 4750.0 g (167.55 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Black Guillemot
Extinct
Great Auk
About These Birds
Black Guillemot
Black Guillemot, 30–32 cm, is a compact North Atlantic alcid, distinctive in summer: entirely black with bold white wing patches and vivid red feet. Resident on rocky Arctic and boreal shores year-round; does not undertake long pelagic migrations. Dives to 50 m for blennies and sand eels near shore.
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.