Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.terrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/humpback-whales.jpg)
M. novaeangliae, commonly known as the humpback whale, is one of the most recognizable whales, in my opinion. When fluking, their tails typically have a white underside. While breaching, they reveal their white, pleated underbelly characteristic of the rorquals. Their most distinguishing trait is their long flippers, often encrusted with barncles and also trailed with white. Along their back is a hooked dorsal fin (their "humpback"). They are a mysticete. It is a whale that is seen nearly worldwide!
Humpback whales are some of the most talkative animals in the sea! They make a variety of songs and calls which can be heard through underwater microphones. They are some of the most active whales, often seen breaching, lobtailing, and slapping water with their flippers. They exhibit an interesting behavior by intercepting the kills of killer whales. It can be seen in this video by BBC. This may be a revenge response, because killer whales do often hunt the calves of humpback whales and other whale species. Another thing they are known for is bubble net feeding. Groups of whales come together to blow bubbles, forming a fishing net. This makes small fish panic and jump, and then the whales all emerge to feed on the fleeing fish.
Humpback whales generally appear on their own or in small groups. Some of these types are: lone male singers, mother-calf pairs, newly matured juveniles, mother-calf pair with an additional male escort, lone whales that travel to join others, an adult female and male escort, and the breeding groups.
They are some of the most talkative whales. Humpback whale males are known for singing the longest, most complicated songs in the entire animal kingdom. They sing day and night. As a group, humpback whales have a singular song that is sometimes altered as it travels from whale to whale. This songs are thought to be used for identification between whales, breeding, and maybe as a cultural thing, since songs change between the different groups of humpback whales (they vary from the place they are located).
Humpback whales, again, are seen worldwide. They are a staple of many whale watching groups because they are easily distinguishable both in water and out of it. If you'd like to see one of these, here is a map of their locations below. To be more specific to your area, I would suggest researching the various whale watching groups and see what they list on their pamphlets, website, or social media.
![](https://media.fisheries.noaa.gov/dam-migration/humpback_dps_map.jpg)
![](https://2seewhales.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/12389517865_a835a9cc5e_b.jpg)
![](https://www.scubadiving.com/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/scubadiving/humpback-whale-shutterstock-craig-lambert-photography.jpg)
![](https://www.nwf.org/-/media/NEW-WEBSITE/Shared-Folder/Wildlife/Mammals/mammal_humpback-whale_600x300.jpg)
Information from pages 128-139 of Handbook of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World by Mark Cawardine.