North American Bird Search Box
This search box can be used to find bird species using bird's english, french or latin name, or to identify bird by its 4 letter Alpha Code
Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Great Auk
4 Letter (english names) Alpha Code: GRAU (6)
Grand Pingouin
Pinguinus impennis
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Life, Habitat & Pictures of North American Great Auks
Images of the extinct Great Auk are courtesy of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27.5" 69.9cm | 11 lb. 5kg | Alcidae | Pinguinus impennis |
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
The Great Auk was a flightless seabird that lived on the islands in the north Atlantic Ocean. This was the largest member of the alcid family. Unfortunately, these seabirds were slaughtered into extinction in the 1800's for food and used as fish bait. They bred on Fink Island, which is located off the eastern coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
References to Other Bird Sites:
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.