The great auk was a large, flightless seabird that went extinct in the mid-19th century. Once abundant across the North Atlantic, great auk populations were decimated by overhunting for their meat, eggs, and feathers. The last confirmed sighting of a great auk was in 1852 off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. However, there have been occasional reports of great auk sightings over the past 170 years that raise the intriguing possibility that some individuals could have eluded extinction. Could the great auk still exist in some remote corner of the North Atlantic?
What was the great auk?
The great auk was a large, black and white seabird in the alcid family, which includes auks, murres, and puffins. Adults grew up to 30 inches tall and weighed around 11 pounds. Their most noticeable feature was a long, straight bill that resembled a penguin’s. Great auks were flightless, with small wings that they used for swimming underwater in pursuit of fish, their main prey. They were only found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic on both sides of the ocean. Breeding colonies existed from New England to Iceland, Norway, Greenland, and Canada’s Atlantic provinces. Great auks came to land only to breed on rocky islands and remote sea stacks. They laid just one egg per year, so reproduction was low.
Why did the great auk go extinct?
The great auk was hunted by humans for thousands of years, but pressures greatly escalated in the 16th century. Early European explorers valued the great auk for its large breasts and eggs, which provided an important source of fresh meat. Hunting greatly reduced populations, then became commercialized in the late 18th century. Great auk feathers became popular stuffing for pillows and mattresses, while their fat was used in lamp oil. Egg collection removed vital breeding pairs. The letz great auk breeding colonies were located on remote islands off Iceland, Norway, and Newfoundland. They were easily accessible to hunters who extirpated the last colonies by the 1830s. Persecution continued until the very end, with the final confirmed sighting of a great auk in 1852.
Have there been any great auk sightings since 1852?
There have been sporadic sightings of possible great auks over the past 170 years:
- A report from 1871 of 22 great auks seen off Iceland.
- In 1935, a seal hunter claimed to have seen one in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada.
- An unconfirmed sighting occurred in 1941 off the Iles-de-la Madeleine in eastern Canada.
- A possible sighting took place in 1967 in the Bay of Fundy in Canada.
- In 1981, a sighting was reported from Saint Pierre and Miquelon, islands south of Newfoundland.
- As recently as 2002, two ornithologists believe they saw a great auk in the North Atlantic.
However, there is debate over whether these were actually great auks or just similar seabirds like razorbills or murres. Without photographic proof, these reports remain inconclusive. Still, the persistence of alleged sightings hints that the great auk may not be gone completely.
Could the great auk still survive?
While unlikely, it is possible that a few great auks persist in extremely remote areas rarely visited by humans. Here is the case for how the species could have escaped detection:
Remote geography
The seas around Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland contain many small, isolated islands and sea stacks. Most have never been explored thoroughly. These remote rocky outposts could conceal the last remaining great auks.
Elusive nature
The great auk was already sensitive to human disturbance, favoring more remote breeding sites. Any remaining individuals would retreat further from human settlements and sailors to avoid detection. Their black and white plumage blends into the rocks.
Misidentification
It can be challenging to distinguish a distant great auk from similar murres, guillemots, or razorbills. Reports dismissed as cases of mistaken identity may have been genuine.
Low population
A handful of remaining birds, perhaps just an isolated breeding pair or two, could easily go unnoticed across the vast North Atlantic and Arctic oceans. But a population does not require large numbers to persist.
Factor | Explanation |
---|---|
Remote geography | Isolated islands rarely visited by humans could hold remnants. |
Elusive nature | Avoidance of humans prevents detection. |
Misidentification | Similar species makes reports unreliable. |
Low population | A few birds can persist undetected in a huge range. |
Where might great auks still exist?
The most likely places where great auks could still occur in the North Atlantic:
Iceland
Iceland was the great auk’s last stronghold before extinction. Remote sea cliffs and offshore sea stacks like Geirfuglasker could hide remaining individuals. This island was one of the last breeding colonies.
Greenland
The coasts of eastern Greenland contain extensive cliff habitat and numerous uninhabited islands where great auks could evade detection.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The northern coast of Newfoundland and southern Labrador Peninsula contains remote bays and thousands of small islands. The last known breeding colony existed on a small island off Newfoundland.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
These small French islands south of Newfoundland had a credible sighting in 1981 and may still support remnants. The treeless islands have extensive cliff habitat.
Norway
Coastal Norway contained some of the last breeding colonies. The peninsula of Tampen is particularly isolated and rarely visited.
Location | Explanation |
---|---|
Iceland | Remote sea cliffs and stacks once housed breeding colonies. |
Greenland | Little-visited, extensive cliffs along east coast. |
Newfoundland | Thousands of islands in remote bays. |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | Recent credible sighting in 1981. |
Norway | Remote coast contained late breeding colonies. |
What would it take to confirm the great auk’s existence?
Verifying that the great auk still exists would require these steps:
Sighting reports
Additional credible sightings by experienced observers would build the case. Photos or video would be definitive. Targeted surveys where they were once found could uncover evidence.
Expeditions
Scientific expeditions to remote coasts and islands likely to support great auks could find remaining populations. Searches using drones may help cover larger areas.
Genetic analysis
If remains such as bones, eggshell fragments, or feathers were discovered, DNA analysis could confirm they belong to the great auk. Preserved eggs or specimens in museums could also be analyzed.
Breeding evidence
Finding nest sites, eggs, or flightless chicks on offshore islands would provide the best confirmation that a breeding population still exists. Just locating surviving individuals may not be enough.
Captive breeding
If any great auks were located, breeding them in captivity could save the species. This has worked for California condors and other critically endangered species.
Conclusion
It is unlikely that the great auk persists anywhere in the North Atlantic. The lack of hard evidence makes it difficult to definitively state the species survives. However, enough sightings and the presence of seemingly suitable habitat maintain hope that we may yet rediscover this remarkable lost seabird. Targeted searches of its former range could one day confirm that the great auk managed to elude extinction after all. The continued mysteries around this extinct bird are intriguing and worthy of further investigation by scientists.