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About the Great Auk:
You might think from its genus name that the prehistoric bird Pinguinus (aka the Great Auk) was related to penguins, but aside from the obvious similarities--notably their short, waddling, flightless lifestyles--these are completely different types of animals. The Great Auk was a common sight on the shores and islands of the North Atlantic, including Canada, Iceland, Greenland and parts of Scandinavia. Like penguins, Great Auks were well adapted to swimming underwater, and could hold their breath for minutes at a time in pursuit of prey.
Why did a bird so well-adapted to its cold northern climate go extinct? Well, you probably already know the answer--although the Great Auk knew enough to stay out of the way of natural predators (such as polar bears and walruses), this genus wasn't used to dealing with humans, who easily caught and ate slow-moving kids and adults. Unlike the case with other doomed birds--such as the Dodo--the extinction of the Great Auk was a long, protracted affair; humans started munching on these birds about 2,000 years ago, and the last specimens only went extinct in the mid 19th century.
