Aurora PostgreSQL is a managed relational database service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is part of the Amazon Aurora family, which offers a high-performance, fully managed database service.

Aurora PostgreSQL is built on top of PostgreSQL, an open-source object-relational database management system. However, it extends PostgreSQL to provide improved performance, scalability, and availability features. Some key characteristics of Aurora PostgreSQL include:

1. High Performance: Aurora PostgreSQL uses a distributed architecture that allows it to scale both read and write operations, making it suitable for applications with high throughput requirements.

2. Data Durability: It replicates data across multiple Availability Zones in a region to ensure data durability and availability even in the event of hardware failures.

3. Automated Backups: Aurora PostgreSQL automatically creates backups of your database and retains them for a specified period. These backups are continuous and incremental.

4. Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR): Aurora PostgreSQL supports Point-in-Time Recovery, which allows you to restore your database to any point in time within the PITR retention period.

5. Scaling: Aurora PostgreSQL allows you to easily scale the compute and storage resources to accommodate the changing needs of your application.

6. Compatibility: Aurora PostgreSQL is designed to be compatible with standard PostgreSQL, which means you can use familiar tools and libraries when working with it.

7. Security: Aurora PostgreSQL offers various security features, including encryption at rest and in transit, IAM-based authentication, and fine-grained access controls.