Humpback Whales
Megaptera novaeangliae • The Acrobats of the Sea
Once endangered, Humpback Whales have made a remarkable recovery and are now a frequent and spectacular sight around Telegraph Cove during the feeding season (May to October). These gentle giants are famous for their acrobatic behaviors and complex songs.
Migratory Patterns
Humpbacks undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling up to 25,000 kilometers annually between their summer feeding grounds and winter breeding areas.
The whales seen in Telegraph Cove spend their summers feeding in the rich waters of British Columbia, building up fat reserves by consuming up to 1.5 tons of food per day.
In winter, they migrate to warmer waters such as Hawaii or Mexico to breed and give birth. During this time, they fast entirely, living off their accumulated blubber for up to 6 months.
Feeding Techniques
As baleen whales, humpbacks filter feed on small prey. They have 270-400 baleen plates on each side of their mouth, which act like a giant sieve to trap food.
Bubble-net feeding is their most spectacular hunting strategy. A group of whales dives beneath a school of fish, then spirals upward while blowing bubbles. This creates a cylindrical “net“ that traps prey. The whales then lunge upward through the center with mouths agape.
They also employ lunge feeding, where they accelerate toward prey with their mouths open, engulfing huge volumes of water and prey.
Acrobatic Behavior & Songs
Surface Behaviors
Breaching: Leaping fully or partially out of the water and landing with a tremendous splash. Scientists believe this may serve multiple purposes including communication, parasite removal, or simply play.
Pectoral fin slapping: Repeatedly slapping their long pectoral fins (up to 5 meters long) on the water surface, creating loud sounds that can be heard underwater for miles.
Tail lobbing: Lifting their massive tail flukes out of the water and slapping them forcefully on the surface.
Complex Songs
Male humpbacks produce complex songs lasting 10-30 minutes, which they repeat for hours. These songs are thought to play a role in mating displays.
All males in a population sing the same song, but it gradually evolves over time. Songs from different populations are distinctly different.
The songs can be heard underwater from distances of up to 30 kilometers and consist of moans, cries, and chirps arranged in repeating patterns.
Physical Characteristics
Adults reach 12-16 meters in length and weigh 25-40 tonnes
Distinctive body shape with elongated pectoral fins (the longest of any whale)
Knobby protuberances called tubercles on their head and lower jaw
Unique tail fluke patterns allow individual identification (like fingerprints)
Ventral pleats (throat grooves) expand when feeding, allowing huge water intake
Can hold their breath for up to 45 minutes but typically dive for 5-10 minutes
Fascinating Facts
Their scientific name means “big-winged New Englander“ referring to their huge pectoral fins and where they were first scientifically described.
A humpback's mouth can hold up to 5,000 gallons of water and prey when fully expanded.
They have been observed protecting other species from killer whale attacks, including seals, sea lions, and even other whale species.
Calves are born at about 4 meters long and gain 45 kg per day in their first year.
Despite their size, they can leap entirely out of the water, a behavior requiring incredible strength and energy.
Their population has recovered from near extinction (down to 1,400) to over 80,000 worldwide.
Conservation Success Story
Humpback whales are one of conservation's greatest success stories. After being hunted to near extinction, with only about 1,400 individuals remaining globally in 1966, they were protected under the International Whaling Commission moratorium.
The North Pacific population, which includes those visiting Telegraph Cove, has recovered remarkably well. They were downlisted from “Threatened“ to “Species of Special Concern“ in Canada in 2011.
Current threats include entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, ocean noise, and climate change affecting their food sources. Continued protection and monitoring are essential for their ongoing recovery.
Best Viewing Times
May through October
Peak activity from June to September when feeding on abundant krill and small schooling fish. Early morning often provides the calmest conditions for whale watching.