The End of the Great Auk

Birdorable Great Auk

On this date* in 1844, off the coast of Ireland, a pair of Great Auks were killed. These proved to be the last specimens of Great Auk ever collected.

The Great Auk was a flightless species. It stood up to 33 inches tall and weighed about 11 pounds. The Great Auk's scientific name, Pinguinus impennis, roughly translates to plump and flightless. The auk's black and white plumage was similar to that of penguins; penguins are so named after the auk's scientific name due to this similarity. Despite the physical similarities, the species (auks and penguins) are not closely related genetically.

Great Auks lived in the North Atlantic Ocean coasts, coming to land only for breeding. They nested colonially in areas close to favorable feeding grounds and away from predators like polar bears and White-tailed Eagles.

Although somewhat clumsy on land, Great Auks were agile in the water, able to propel itself underwater using its wings. It was also able to dive deeper and hold its breath longer than other alcid bird species.

Great Auks were once abundant. They were hunted as food by the Neanderthals more than 100,000 years ago. There are records of Great Auks being hunted more than 20,000 years ago in Spain, Italy, and France. While the Little Ice Age between the 16th and 19th centuries may have contributed somewhat to population losses for the Great Auk, it was massive human exploitation that ultimately doomed this species. Great Auks were hunted for their down and collected for their eggs, feathers, and skins.

Great Auk
Great Auks by John James Audubon

Today there are 78 specimen Great Auks (skins) in museums and other collections. A Great Auk specimen sold to the Icelandic Museum of Natural History for £9000 in 1971; this was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive bird specimen ever bought and sold.

 

* Published sources are conflicted on the date; June 3 is also sometimes cited.

Cute Great Auk Gifts

Comments

Gene Huston on September 14, 2020 at 2:59 AM wrote:
I think the information should say off the coast of Iceland not Ireland. There is a great auk statue in Iceland to mark the great auks’ extinction.
Spurwing Plover on January 24, 2022 at 6:40 AM wrote:
The Great Auk gone but not Forgoten
Jose Alejandro Vazquez Jr on May 30, 2024 at 7:38 AM wrote:
Spoonbill was sad and feel bad for the great auk
Jose Alejandro Vazquez Jr on May 30, 2024 at 7:40 AM wrote:
Spoonbill was sad and I wish so we can bring it back

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

The Wood Thrush's double voice box

Today we have added a new species to Birdorable: the Wood Thrush. The Wood Thrush is a medium-sized songbird in the thrush family. Related birds include the familiar American Robin as well as the Blackbird of Europe....

New Happy Thanksgiving Shareable Graphic from Birdorable

We’re feeling extra thankful today, and we’re sharing the bird love with this festive Birdorable graphic! This cute Thanksgiving-themed image features a Birdorable Wild Turkey, along with many other birds found in the United States, wishing everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving Day." It's perfect for sharing with your fellow bird enthusiasts, friends, and family.

Cape Coral Florida's Feathered Ambassador: Celebrating the Official City Bird

Many countries have an official national bird. For example, the national bird of Belgium is the Common Kestrel, and the national bird of Israel is the Hoopoe. All U.S. states also have official birds. But did you know that there are even some cities that have their own official bird?

Razorbills out of range

Florida birders have been treated to a rare sight this winter. Hundreds of Razorbills have been seen off both coasts of the state; the birds have been seen as far west as Pensacola along the Gulf of Mexico! The normal winter range for the Razorbill, which is a...