Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Great Auk
Pinguinus impennis
Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.
The Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) is a member of the Alcidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. The IUCN Red List lists it as Extinct.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Alcidae Auks
- Genus Pinguinus
- Species impennis
Where it lives
Northern North Atlantic coasts: eastern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Is., British Isles and Denmark
Quick facts
- Family
- Alcidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
Biology & behaviour
The Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) is a member of the Alcidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL n North Atlantic coasts: e Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Is., British Isles and Denmark.
It is listed as Extinct on the IUCN Red List.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Great Auk live?
The Great Auk is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL n North Atlantic coasts: e Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Is., British Isles and Denmark.
What family does the Great Auk belong to?
The Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) belongs to the Alcidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
Is the Great Auk endangered?
It is listed as Extinct on the IUCN Red List
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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