Auk
Family of birds / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about a family of birds. For the ornithological journal, see The Auk. For other meanings, see AUK.
"Auklet" redirects here. For the fishery patrol vessel, see USFS Auklet.
Auks or alcids are a group of birds of the family Alcidae in the order Charadriiformes.[1] The alcid family includes the murres, guillemots, auklets, puffins, and murrelets. The family contains 25 extant or recently extinct species that are divided into 11 genera. Auks are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.[1][2]
Quick Facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
Auks | |
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Parakeet auklets (Aethia psittacula) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Charadriiformes |
Suborder: | Lari |
Family: | Alcidae Leach, 1820 |
Type species | |
Alca torda | |
Subfamilies | |
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Apart from the extinct great auk, all auks can fly, and are excellent swimmers and divers (appearing to "fly" in water), but their walking appears clumsy.