Identifying Species
Some species, such as the killer whale, are large, distinctive and easy to identify. Other species, however, are more difficult to distinguish, and observers should rely on clues such as body shape and colour, behaviours and group size to determine which species were seen. Here are some examples of the key things to look for when observing whales, dolphins and porpoise in the wild.
Click here for a printable Species ID Guide
Initial Cue
The first indication that you have spotted a cetacean is a blow, fluke or splash.
Common Blows
Humpback whale
Grey whale
Killer whale
Common Dorsal Fins
Humpback whale
Grey whale
Killer whale
Common Flukes
Humpback whale
Grey whale
Lance Barrett-Lennard
Killer whale
Note: minke whales and fin whales, in general, do not fluke
Common Splashes
Dall's porpoise - rooster tail
Lance Barrett-Lennard and Kathy Heise
Pacific white-sided dolphin - porpoising
Killer whale - breach
Behaviours
As you view each of the species, you will notice icons that correspond to the behaviours that these species exhibit. Below is a description and photo of each of these behaviours.
Graeme Ellis
Spyhop
When a cetacean wants to take a look around, it exhibits a behaviour we can relate to: they stick their head up and out of the water. At least, this is what researchers presume these animals are doing when only their heads pop of the water, so that the eyes are clear of the water.
John Ford
Fluking
When a large whale takes a deep dive, it often arches its body and move some of its mass above water to dive in a steeper angle. As you watch the whale proceed forward, the last thing visible before the whale is completely submerged is usually the underside of the tail flukes. This is called fluking. Although this is a common behaviour upon a deep dive, fluking does not always occur.
John Ford
Breaching
Sometimes whales and dolphins propel their bodies up and out of the water and land with a big splash. Small animals can leap high out of the water, often twisting their bodies as they do so. Larger whales usually get at least two thirds of their bodies out of the water, and will often end the breach in a belly-flop or will turn in the air and land on their backs.
Bow riding
Sometimes, small cetaceans, such as this Pacific white-sided dolphin, will swim in the front bow wake of a boat. They can be seen criss-crossing back and forth in front of the ship's bow. At other times they will swim alongside the bow.
Porpoising
This behaviour is seen when an animal leaps clear of the water while it is moving forward. Pacific white-sided dolphins usually porpoise when they are traveling at high speeds.
John Ford
Pectoral and tail slaps
Sometimes referred to as a pectoral fin slap, this behaviour is seen when the animal is at the surface. The animal lifts its pectoral fin or tail up and out of the water and then smacks it against the surface. When the fin hits the water, it causes a big splash and a slapping sound.
