Largest auk

The largest modern-day species of auk was the great auk Pinguinus impennis, native to the coasts of both sides of the North Atlantic. Standing up to 85 cm tall and weighing approximately 5 kg, this flightless black-and-white seabird was the original penguin, after which the superficially similar but unrelated and more famous flightless birds of the southern hemisphere were named. Once common, the great auk was eventually hunted into extinction by sailors for food and museums for specimens. The last two confirmed individuals were clubbed to death on 3 July 1844 on the isle of Eldey, off Iceland.