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Pinguinus Impennis Collection

"Pinguinus impennis: The Great Auk, a Majestic Bird of the Past" The Pinguinus impennis, commonly known as the Great Auk

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Pinguinus impennis, great auk

Pinguinus impennis, great auk
1 of 6 shots of Dr Leachs 139 great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th Century

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Great Auk bird

Great Auk bird
A photograph of an original hand-colored engraving from The History of British Birds by Morris published in 1853-1891

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis), engraving

Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis), engraving
Great Auk. Engraved plate of a Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis), a bird that became extinct in the mid-19th century. This was the last species of a genus of giant flightless birds

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Extinct great auk, Pinguinus impennis e, emperor penguin g, Aptenodytes forsteri g

Extinct great auk, Pinguinus impennis e, emperor penguin g, Aptenodytes forsteri g, great crested grebe b
FLO5000188 Extinct great auk, Pinguinus impennis e, emperor penguin g, Aptenodytes forsteri g, great crested grebe b, Podiceps cristatus, Atlantic puffin f, Fratercula arctica, black guillemot d

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Great auk, Pinguinus impennis. Extinct. Handcoloured woodblock engraving by Benjamin Fawcett

Great auk, Pinguinus impennis. Extinct. Handcoloured woodblock engraving by Benjamin Fawcett from Francis Orpen Morris
FLO4679280 Great auk, Pinguinus impennis. Extinct. Handcoloured woodblock engraving by Benjamin Fawcett from Francis Orpen Morris Natural History of British Birds, London

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Spallanzanis great auk egg

Spallanzanis great auk egg
Spallanzanis great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th Century

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Tristrams great auk egg

Tristrams great auk egg
Tristrams great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th Century

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Walter Rothschilds great auk egg

Walter Rothschilds great auk egg
Walter Rothschilds great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th Century

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Lord Lilfords great auk egg

Lord Lilfords great auk egg
Lord Lilfords great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. Also known as the Royal College of Surgeons egg No.6 The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Bullocks great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg

Bullocks great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th Century. 1962.1.5 (composite image) Date: 1962

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Great auk, Pinguinus impennis

Great auk, Pinguinus impennis
The great auk, Pinguinus impennis, is one of the most powerful symbols of the damage humans can cause. The species was driven extinct as a result of centuries of intense human exploitation

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Dr Leachs 139 great auk egg

Dr Leachs 139 great auk egg
Dr Leachs 139 great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th Century

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Great Auk Pinguinus impennis, engraving

Great Auk Pinguinus impennis, engraving
John Gould (1804-1881), William Hart, H. C. Richter, The Birds of Europe, 1832-1837 - Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis), engraving

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Great auk, mounted specimen C016 / 4877

Great auk, mounted specimen C016 / 4877
Great auk (Pinguinus impennis), mounted specimen. This specimen, obtained from Papa West in the Orkneys, is held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Great auk, 19th century artwork C013 / 6308

Great auk, 19th century artwork C013 / 6308
Great auk (Pinguinus impennis), artwork. This flightless bird inhabited the north Atlantic, breeding on rocky islands. It grew up to 85 centimetres tall and weighed around 5 kilograms

Background imagePinguinus Impennis Collection: Great Auk Eggs

Great Auk Eggs
Illustration of Great Auk Eggs by Henrik Gronvold (1858-1940)



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"Pinguinus impennis: The Great Auk, a Majestic Bird of the Past" The Pinguinus impennis, commonly known as the Great Auk, was a remarkable bird that once graced our planet with its presence. This flightless species belonged to the Alcidae family and was native to the North Atlantic region. With its distinctive appearance and striking features, the Great Auk captured the imagination of many. Its large size and robust build made it an impressive sight to behold. Unfortunately, due to human activities such as hunting for meat, eggs, and feathers, this magnificent creature became extinct in 1844. Engravings depicting this extraordinary bird showcase its unique characteristics. From Spallanzani's great auk egg to Tristram's great auk egg and Lord Lilford's great auk egg – these artifacts serve as reminders of what we have lost. Even Bullock's great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg holds significance in preserving our understanding of this species. Walter Rothschild's collection includes his prized possession – a rare great auk egg. Dr Leach also contributed significantly by amassing an astonishing 139 eggs from this iconic bird. These collections not only symbolize their passion for ornithology but also highlight how valuable these creatures were in scientific research. The extinction serves as both warning and inspiration for conservation efforts today. It reminds us that every living being plays an essential role in maintaining ecological balance on Earth. Let us remember the greatness of this now-extinct avian marvel - Pinguinus impennis - or better known as the Great Auk; may it forever be etched into history as one of nature’s most awe-inspiring creations that sadly slipped away from our grasp.