Species Profile
Great Auk
Pinguinus impennis
Quick Facts
Conservation
EXExtinctLifespan
20–25 years
Length
75–85 cm
Weight
4000–5000 g
Wingspan
70–75 cm
Migration
Partial migrant
Also known as: Garefowl
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Appearance
The Great Auk was a large, flightless seabird with a black back and white underparts. It had a large, curved beak and small wings adapted for swimming. Adults stood about 75-85 cm tall and weighed 4-5 kg.
During the breeding season, adults developed a white patch over each eye and white grooves on their bills. Juveniles had a more mottled appearance with smaller bills.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Markings
Large white patch between bill and eye
Tail: Short
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Great Auks inhabited rocky islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Canada's east coast to Norway, with significant populations around Iceland and the British Isles. They required remote, rocky coasts for breeding.
During non-breeding seasons, they dispersed widely across the North Atlantic, venturing as far south as northern Spain and possibly the northeastern United States.
Diet
Great Auks primarily fed on fish, particularly capelin and Atlantic menhaden. They were also known to consume crustaceans and marine worms. These birds could dive to depths of up to 100 meters to catch their prey.
Behaviour
Great Auks were excellent swimmers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater in pursuit of fish. On land, they moved awkwardly in an upright posture. They were known to be social birds, gathering in large colonies during the breeding season.
Calls & Sounds
Historical accounts suggest that Great Auks produced low croaking and gurgling sounds. On breeding grounds, they were reported to make a variety of grunts and low croaks, possibly used for communication within the colony and between mates.
Nesting & Breeding
Great Auks formed monogamous pairs and bred in dense colonies on remote, rocky islands. The breeding season typically began in May or June.
Females laid a single egg directly on a bare rock or in a shallow depression. The egg was pyriform (pear-shaped) and had intricate patterns of brown and black markings on a white or yellowish background.
Both parents shared incubation duties for about 6 weeks. After hatching, the chick was tended by both parents until it was ready to leave the nesting site, typically after 2-3 weeks.
Conservation
The Great Auk became extinct in the mid-19th century due to excessive hunting for its meat, eggs, and feathers.
Its demise is a stark reminder of human impact on wildlife and has influenced modern conservation efforts for seabirds and other vulnerable species.
Population
Estimated: 0 (Extinct)
Trend: Extinct
The species became extinct in the mid-19th century
Elevation
Sea level
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 12cm x 7cm
- Predators:
- Adult Great Auks had few natural predators, but their eggs and chicks were vulnerable to gulls, skuas, and Arctic foxes.
- Alarm calls:
- Unknown
- Breeding age:
- 6
- Maturity age:
- 5
- Feeding times:
- Throughout the day
- Major threats:
- Overhunting for meat, feathers, and eggs
- Parental care:
- Both parents cared for the chick
- Primary calls:
- Deep growl
- Social habits:
- Lived in large colonies on rocky islands
- Egg appearance:
- White with brown blotches
- Feeding habits:
- Dived deep into the sea to catch prey
- Breeding season:
- Summer
- Diet variations:
- Depended on the season and location
- Fledging period:
- Around 2 months
- Average lifespan:
- 20
- Call description:
- A hoarse growling sound
- Daily activities:
- Spent most of the day hunting for food in the ocean
- Nesting location:
- Rocky islands
- Number of broods:
- Normally one
- Incubation period:
- Approximately 6 weeks
- Nest construction:
- Simple scrape in the ground
- Migration patterns:
- Moved south in winter, north in summer
- Migratory patterns:
- Seasonal migration between breeding and wintering areas
- Age related changes:
- None known
- Prey capture method:
- Diving and seizing
- Conservation efforts:
- None, species is extinct
- Territorial behavior:
- Unknown
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, often returning to same breeding site each year
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- Single egg
- Interaction with other species:
- Interacted with other seabirds at feeding and breeding sites
Birdwatching Tips
As the Great Auk is extinct, it cannot be observed in the wild. However, birdwatchers can:
- Visit museums with Great Auk specimens
- Explore historical breeding sites in the North Atlantic
- Learn about conservation efforts for related species
- Study historical accounts and illustrations
Did You Know?
- The Great Auk was the only flightless bird native to the Northern Hemisphere in modern times.
- Its scientific name, Pinguinus impennis, reflects its penguin-like appearance, though it was not closely related to penguins.
- The last confirmed pair of Great Auks was killed in 1844 on the island of Eldey, off the coast of Iceland.
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