An auk or alcid is a bird of the family Alcidae in the order Charadriiformes. The alcid family includes the murres, guillemots, auklets, puffins, and murrelets. The word "auk" is derived from Icelandic álka, from Old Norse alka (auk), from Proto-Germanic *alk (sea-bird, auk). Apart from the extinct great auk, all auks can fly, and are excellent swimmers (appearing to "fly") and divers, but their walking appears clumsy. Several species have different English names in Europe and North America. The two species known as murres in North America are called guillemots in Europe, and the species called little auk in Europe is referred to as dovekie in North America. Description Auks are superficially similar to penguins, having black-and-white colours, upright posture, and some of their habits. Nevertheless, they are not closely related to penguins, but rather are believed to be an example of moderate convergent evolution. Auks are
Un auk o alcid es un pájaro de la familia Alcidae en el orden Charadriiformes. La familia alcid incluye los murres, guillemots, auklets, puffins, y murrelets. La palabra "auk" se deriva del álka islandés, del antiguo noruego alka (auk), del proto-germánico *alk (bird de mar, auk). Aparte del extinto gran auk, todos los auks pueden volar, y son excelentes nadadores (aparecen a "volar") y buceadores, pero su caminata parece clumsy. Varias especies tienen diferentes nombres ingleses en Europa y Norteamérica. Las dos especies conocidas como murres en Norteamérica se llaman guillemotsemots en Europa, y las especies llamadas poco auk en Europa se refieren a dovekie en Norteamérica. Descripción Auks son superficialmente similares a los pingüinos, teniendo colores negro y blanco, posture, y algunos de sus hábitos.