The seabird auk, which had been present for millennia in millions from Iceland to Newfoundland, from Norway to Italy, and even Florida, was completely extinct due to predation by Homo sapiens. In Scandinavia, it was regularly eaten for dinner, being an easy prey for the local inhabitants. In the 17th century, its numbers were in clear decline. By 1800, it was considered extinct in North America. The last surviving pair was killed on the island of Eldey, Iceland, in June 1844.
