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Great Auk: Difference between revisions
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In life, the great auk inhabited the coastal waters of the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Basin. The auk had very specific breeding and nesting requirements - rocky, sloped islands with easy access to the sea and an abundance of food. As a result, the bird had very few breeding colonies, with it believed that there were never more than 20 in existence. The auk was only ever known to leave the North Atlantic to perform these activities, and would even roost at sea. The hatchlings were said to be grey and downy, but no existing skins exist to allow this to be seen. It was believed that great auks mated for life. | In life, the great auk inhabited the coastal waters of the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Basin. The auk had very specific breeding and nesting requirements - rocky, sloped islands with easy access to the sea and an abundance of food. As a result, the bird had very few breeding colonies, with it believed that there were never more than 20 in existence. The auk was only ever known to leave the North Atlantic to perform these activities, and would even roost at sea. The hatchlings were said to be grey and downy, but no existing skins exist to allow this to be seen. It was believed that great auks mated for life. | ||
Due to never being scientifically observed and described, the great auk's behaviors and traits are only known from secondary sources such as sailor's accounts and behaviors that can be inferred from the razorbill. It is believed that the great auk had few natural predators, and that those it did have were often ocean-dwelling, such as the [[Orca|orca]]. [[Polar Bear|Polar bears]] were also believed to prey upon nesting colonies. The birds were unafraid of humans; only learning to be cautious around them once they were nearing extinction. The great auk had excellent mobility in the water, but had very limited mobility on land, which made them easy targets for hunters. It has been claimed that the auk was capable of diving up to 1 kilometer (3,300) feet | Due to never being scientifically observed and described, the great auk's behaviors and traits are only known from secondary sources such as sailor's accounts and behaviors that can be inferred from the razorbill. It is believed that the great auk had few natural predators, and that those it did have were often ocean-dwelling, such as the [[Orca|orca]]. [[Polar Bear|Polar bears]] were also believed to prey upon nesting colonies. The birds were unafraid of humans; only learning to be cautious around them once they were nearing extinction. The great auk had excellent mobility in the water, but had very limited mobility on land, which made them easy targets for hunters. It has been claimed that the auk was capable of diving up to a depth of 1 kilometer (3,300) feet and could breathe underwater for up to 15 minutes. | ||
|trivia=*The great auk went extinct before any scientific recordings of its call were made. However, fishermen of the time described the sound as resembling a cough. | |trivia=*The great auk went extinct before any scientific recordings of its call were made. However, fishermen of the time described the sound as resembling a cough. | ||
*The American Ornithological Society uses a great auk as their symbol. | *The American Ornithological Society uses a great auk as their symbol. | ||