How to Tell the Difference: False Killer Whales, Pygmy

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HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE: FALSE KILLER WHALES, PYGMY KILLER WHALES, SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALES, AND MELON-HEADED WHALES IN HAWAI'I There are four species of small black whales resident in Hawaiian waters, two relatively large (short-finned pilot whales, false killer whales) and two relatively small (melon-headed whales, pygmy killer whales). The four species look fairly similar but can be discriminated based on relative dorsal fin size and position as well as other characteristics (summarized in table at the bottom). False killer whale Pygmy killer whale Melon-headed whale Short-finned pilot whale have a clear boundary to the cape and more are the fastest moving white linear scars than melon-headed whales and most acrobatic False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens Pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata The dorsal fin of pilot whales is larger and further forward on the back than other species. Adult males are ~3’ larger than adult females and have a much larger dorsal fin have a very diffuse boundary between the dark dorsal cape and the lighter side of the body adult male Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus Melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra Illustrations by Uko Gorter by Uko Illustrations Species Group Size Behavior Behavior Body size Typical depths Frequency Group typical & range towards boats during day range fathoms seen? spread Pilot whale 18 Usually Usually resting at 4’7” – 18’ 270-1640 Common Typically one or (1-195) indifferent surface or travel two subgroups False killer whale 18 Often Actively foraging 5’ – 17’ 25-2700 Rare Often over many (1-41) bowrides leaping regularly miles Pygmy killer 11 Usually Usually resting at 2’7” – 8’6” 270-1640 Rare Typically one whale (1-33) avoids surface group Melon-headed 245 Often bowrides Usually resting at 3’4” – 9’ 110-2700 Uncommon but Usually very whale (1-800) surface or travel very large groups clustered Prepared by Cascadia Research Collective, Olympia, WA. For more information see www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii.htm To send photos contact Robin Baird or Sabre Mahaffy at [email protected]. Rev 8 Sep 16..

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