Changes

==Entymology==

==Entymology==

The great auk was also known as ''garefowl'' (Old Norse: ''geirfugl'', "spear bird").  The name "[[penguin]]" was also first applied to these birds before the discovery of similar-appearing species in the Southern Hemisphere in the mid-1500's.  The word is possibly based upon the Welsh ''pen gwyn'', referring to the white eye patch on its head.

The great auk was also known as ''garefowl'' (Old Norse: ''geirfugl'', "spear bird").  The name "[[penguin]]" was also first applied to these birds before the discovery of similar-appearing species in the Southern Hemisphere in the mid-1500s.  The word is possibly based upon the Welsh ''pen gwyn'', referring to the white eye patch on its head.

==Description==

==Description==

Largest of the Alcidae family, the great auk was approximately 30 inches tall and weighed up to 11 pounds.  Overall color pattern was similar to penguins and the [[orca]], with black plumage on its back, and white feathers on breast and stomach.  It is assumed that its movements were similar to the penguin; it waddled on land and used its stubby wings to propell itself in water.  Their beaks were large and grooved.

Largest of the Alcidae family, the great auk was approximately 30 inches tall and weighed up to 11 pounds.  Overall color pattern was similar to penguins and the [[orca]], with black plumage on its back, and white feathers on breast and stomach.  It is assumed that its movements were similar to the penguin; it waddled on land and used its stubby wings to propel itself in water.  Their beaks were large and grooved.

====Distribution====

====Distribution====

====Diet====

====Diet====

Based on recovered remains on Funk Island, Canada, the great auk generaly ate small fish such as menhadden.   

Based on recovered remains on Funk Island, Canada, the great auk generally ate small fish such as menhadden.   

====Breeding====

====Breeding====

The great auk was extensively hunted by man; the birds were food, fuel, and provided down for warmth in the northern climates.  Early trans-Atlantic crossings were sometimes interrupted by stops at breeding grounds so ship's crews could collect auks en-masse for fresh food and later consumption.  Never trully abundant (recent estimates put the auk's numbers at no greater than 400,000), the population was reduced to a handful by 1800.

The great auk was extensively hunted by man; the birds were food, fuel, and provided down for warmth in the northern climates.  Early trans-Atlantic crossings were sometimes interrupted by stops at breeding grounds so ship's crews could collect auks en-masse for fresh food and later consumption.  Never trully abundant (recent estimates put the auk's numbers at no greater than 400,000), the population was reduced to a handful by 1800.

By 1844, with the auk reduced to a few birds of Iceland, author Robert Silverberg in the 1960's identified science as the main culprit for the species' final demise.  According to him, museum curators discovered that the species was about to go extinct, and no specimens were available for display.  Collectors began to pay handsome prices to anyone to bring home complete birds or skins; eggs would fetch slightly less.  On June 3, 1844, the last two auks were killed on the island of Eldey, off [[Iceland]] and their single egg taken.   

By 1844, with the auk reduced to a few birds of Iceland, author Robert Silverberg in the 1960s identified science as the main culprit for the species' final demise.  According to him, museum curators discovered that the species was about to go extinct, and no specimens were available for display.  Collectors began to pay handsome prices to anyone to bring home complete birds or skins; eggs would fetch slightly less.  On June 3, 1844, the last two auks were killed on the island of Eldey, off [[Iceland]] and their single egg taken.   

Today, some 80 great auk mounted specimens from the last phase of the extinction, in addition to skeletons and eggs, are in museums world-wide.

Today, some 80 great auk mounted specimens from the last phase of the extinction, in addition to skeletons and eggs, are in museums world-wide.