The great auk (Pinguinus impennis), also known as the penguin or garefowl, is an extinct species of flightless alcid that first appeared around 400,000 years ago and became extinct in the mid-19th century. It was the only modern species in the genus Pinguinus.

Auks or alcids are birds of the family Alcidae in the order Charadriiformes. [1] . The alcid family includes the murres, guillemots, auklets, puffins, and murrelets. The family contains 25 extant or recently extinct species that are divided into 11 genera. Auks are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. [1][2]

Mar 7, 2025 · Great auk, flightless seabird extinct since 1844. It belonged to the family Alcidae (order Charadriiformes) and bred in colonies on rocky islands off North Atlantic coasts. Utterly defenseless, great auks were killed by rapacious hunters for food and bait.

Nov 28, 2023 · There are a total of 22 species of auks, all of which are distinguished by their unique physical characteristics and behaviors. They are characterized by their black and white coloration, webbed feet, and a thick layer of down feathers for insulation. Auks are excellent swimmers and divers, and many species feed on fish and other aquatic organisms.

Dec 12, 2024 · During the course of their evolution, great auks lost the ability to fly in favor of specializing in diving. These seabirds were exceptionally skilled and agile swimmers, capable of reaching depths of at least 250 feet, and could hold their breath for up to 15 minutes.

Everything you should know about the Auk. The Auk is a seabird that looks somewhat like penguins, but it can fly. The auk is an ocean bird.

auk, in general, any of the 22 species (21 living) of diving birds of the family Alcidae (order Charadriiformes) but especially 3 species—the great auk (Pinguinus impennis), extinct since 1844; the little auk, or dovekie (Plautus alle); and the razorbill, or razor-billed auk (Alca torda).

Jul 7, 2019 · Salah satu burung yang sudah dinilai punah adalah burung Greak Auk. Berikut fakta burung kembaran penguin ini.

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.

Jun 9, 2014 · The Great Auk was the only flightless member of this family, which lived in the waters of the North Atlantic. It bred on cold, rocky, isolated oceanic islands, but only ones with a plentiful food supply, a rare combination in nature that provided only …