The Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) also known as the garefowl, is a flightless seabird that became extinct in 1844. The great auk resembled the modern penguin as it had a black back and white underside. Great auks had long wings that helped them swim underwater. They were native to the North Atlantic Coasts of St. Kilda, Iceland, and Funk Island. Great Auks hunted lumpsuckers, shorthorn sculpins, cod, and sand lance, and occasionally hunted for birds that were half their size. Great auks were hunted by humans as food and bait. Their current living relatives are the razor-billed auks.
The Great Auk had an overall body length between 35.4”-40.9” (90-104 cm), body width of 8.9”-10.8” (22.5-27.5 cm), and standing height of 29.5”-33.5” (75-85 cm). Great Auk had a weight of 11-15.4 lb (5-7 kg) and a typical lifespan between 20-25 years.
The Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) also known as the garefowl, is a flightless seabird that became extinct in 1844. The great auk resembled the modern penguin as it had a black back and white underside. Great auks had long wings that helped them swim underwater. They were native to the North Atlantic Coasts of St. Kilda, Iceland, and Funk Island. Great Auks hunted lumpsuckers, shorthorn sculpins, cod, and sand lance, and occasionally hunted for birds that were half their size. Great auks were hunted by humans as food and bait. Their current living relatives are the razor-billed auks.
The Great Auk had an overall body length between 35.4”-40.9” (90-104 cm), body width of 8.9”-10.8” (22.5-27.5 cm), and standing height of 29.5”-33.5” (75-85 cm). Great Auk had a weight of 11-15.4 lb (5-7 kg) and a typical lifespan between 20-25 years.