Great Auk

Pinguinus impennis

The great auk, also known as the garefowl or penguin, 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. It was not closely related to the penguins of the Southern Hemisphere, which were named for their resemblance to this species.

Scientific name

Pinguinus impennis

Family

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

IUCN status

EX