Ghosts · EX Extinct
Great Auk
Pinguinus impennis
A flightless black-and-white seabird so like a penguin that it was the original 'penguin' — clubbed and collected into oblivion by sailors and museums alike.
EX · Extinct
Overview
A flightless black-and-white seabird so like a penguin that it was the original 'penguin' — clubbed and collected into oblivion by sailors and museums alike.
birdatlanticflightless
Field data
| IUCN status | EX · Extinct |
|---|---|
| Population | — |
| Trend | unknown |
| Last assessed | — |
| Class / Order | Aves · Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Range | North Atlantic |
Why it matters
Evolutionary distinction
- The original bird called a penguin, long before the southern ones.
- The last confirmed pair was killed for a collector on an Icelandic islet.
From the collection
Take one home
art print
Great Auk art print
Museum-grade art print from the Great Auk plate.
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notebook
Great Auk notebook
Museum-grade notebook from the Great Auk plate.
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Fulfilled on demand. Connect your Fourthwall / print-on-demand store to make these live.
Sources