Great Auk vs Guadalupe Murrelet
Pinguinus impennis compared with Synthliboramphus hypoleucus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Auk | Guadalupe Murrelet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pinguinus impennis | Synthliboramphus hypoleucus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae | Alcidae |
| Conservation Status | Extinct | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 23.9 cm (9.4 in) |
| Weight | 4750.0 g (167.55 oz) | 160.5 g (5.66 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Extinct
Great Auk
Endangered
Guadalupe Murrelet
About These Birds
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.
Guadalupe Murrelet
Guadalupe Murrelet, 22–24 cm, breeds only on Guadalupe Island off Baja California. Very similar to Scripps's Murrelet but with more extensive white on the face. Critically Endangered; fewer than 1,000 individuals; nesting habitat threatened by feral cats and goats (now being controlled). Piscivore.