Great Auk

The great auk, known scientifically as Pinguinus impennis, was a flightless bird that once graced the North Atlantic. It was the sole modern species within its genus and bore no close relation to the Southern Hemisphere's penguins, despite their similar appearance. The great auk was a substantial bird, standing 75 to 85 centimeters tall and weighing around 5 kilograms. It sported a black back and a white belly, with a robust, hooked black beak marked by grooves. In the summer, it exhibited a distinctive white patch over each eye, which was replaced by a white band between the eyes in winter. Its wings, a mere 15 centimeters long, were inadequate for flight, but the bird was an adept swimmer.

Identification Tips

To identify the great auk, look for its towering stature, the second-largest among alcids. The black and white plumage, heavy grooved beak, and seasonal eye patches are key characteristics. In winter, note the white band connecting the eyes. The bird's clumsy land movement contrasted sharply with its graceful aquatic agility.

Habitat

The great auk favored rocky, isolated islands with easy ocean access and abundant food. These rare conditions meant limited breeding sites. When not breeding, the great auk foraged in the North Atlantic, from northern Spain to the coasts of Canada and various islands in between.

Distribution

This bird's range extended across the North Atlantic, from the coasts of Canada and the northeastern United States to Norway, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Ireland, Great Britain, France, and the Iberian Peninsula. It bred on remote islands and spent winters foraging at sea.

Behaviour

The great auk was a powerful swimmer, using its wings underwater to hunt fish and crustaceans. On land, it was awkward and slow, making it vulnerable to predators, including humans. It mated for life, nesting in dense colonies and laying a single egg on bare rock. Both parents incubated the egg and cared for the chick after hatching.

Song & Calls

The great auk's vocalizations included low croaking and a hoarse scream. When anxious, a captive individual was noted to make a gurgling noise. It is speculated that its calls were similar to those of the razorbill, but louder and deeper.

Breeding

Great auk pairs mated for life and nested in dense colonies. They laid one egg, white with brown marbling, and took turns incubating it for about six weeks. The chick left the nest after two to three weeks, with continued parental care.

Similar Species

The great auk could be confused with the razorbill, its closest living relative, but the great auk was flightless and significantly larger.

Diet and Feeding

The great auk's diet consisted mainly of fish like Atlantic menhaden and capelin, as well as crustaceans. It was known to feed cooperatively in flocks and dive to impressive depths in pursuit of prey.

Conservation status

The great auk is extinct, with the last confirmed specimens killed in 1844. Its extinction was primarily due to human exploitation for its feathers, meat, and as collectibles. Despite early conservation efforts, the species could not be saved.