Overview
The life, death and afterlife of one of the true icons of extinction, the Great Auk
Since 1950 more than seventy percent of the world's seabirds have been lost through human activity. The Great Auk was the first species to go. A goose-sized seabird superbly adapted for underwater flight, their lives were idyllic prior to the appearance of humans: three months ashore to breed, the rest of the time riding the ocean waves.
However, Great Auks had one main predator – humans. Having harried the bird mercilessly for centuries in the east, the Europeans who stumbled upon the Great Auks' New World breeding colonies in the 16th century couldn't believe their luck. Seabird colonies became fast-food restaurants for hungry sailors, with mariners gorging themselves on the liver-flavoured auk flesh for more than two centuries.
The last two were killed in 1844, but the Great Auk lived on, with collectors obsessing over their skins, eggs and skeletons through dodgy dealings involving staggering amounts of money. 180 years on, leading ornithologist Tim Birkhead found himself the recipient of the archive of a man who accumulated more Great Auk skins and eggs than anyone else.
Rich with insight and packed with tales of birds and of people, this astonishing book reveals the Great Auk's life before humanity, its death on that fateful day in 1844, and the unrelenting subsequent quest for its remains – the first seabird ruthlessly destroyed by human actions, and an all-powerful symbol of human folly and the necessity of conservation.
This book title, The Great Auk (Its Extraordinary Life, Hideous Death and Mysterious Afterlife), ISBN: 9781399415743, by Tim Birkhead, published by Bloomsbury USA (June 10, 2025) is available in hardcover. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
Unlike Amazon and other retailers who may also offer The Great Auk (Its Extraordinary Life, Hideous Death and Mysterious Afterlife) books on their website, we specialize in large quantities and provide personal service, from trusted, experienced, friendly people in Portland, Oregon. We offer a Price Match Guarantee, and QuickQuote form, to make purchasing quick and easy.
Prefer to work with a human being when you order The Great Auk (Its Extraordinary Life, Hideous Death and Mysterious Afterlife) books in bulk? Our Book Specialists are standing by Monday-Friday 8-5 PST, ready to help!