Alca
/ˈæl.kə/noun
A taxonomic genus of seabirds containing the razorbill, Alca torda.
Did you know?Alca is the type genus of the auk family, Alcidae—a family whose members evolved remarkably birdlike underwater flight using their wings as flippers.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Icelandic
Icelandic
álka
“A seabird, especially an auk or razorbill; the precise earlier origin is uncertain.”
16th Century
Latin
alca
“A Latinized zoological name for an auk-like seabird, borrowed from a northern European bird-name tradition.”
1758
Scientific Latin
Alca
“Carl Linnaeus established Alca as a zoological genus in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae.”
19th Century
Scientific English
Alca
“The recognized genus name for the razorbill, Alca torda.”
Modern English
English
Alca
“A taxonomic genus name retained in modern ornithology.”