A name given to various species of arctic sea birds of the family Alcidæ. The great auk, now extinct, is Alca impennis (or Plautus impennis) . The razor-billed auk is Alca torda. See Puffin, Guillemot, and Murre.

black-and-white short-necked web-footed diving bird of northern seas

a diving bird with webbed feet and short wings used as paddles