In all
three, note the tall, distinctly falcate dorsal fin (which has been
described as sickle or scimitar in shape) positioned farther forward on
the back than the fins of either the fin whale or the blue whale. In the
photo in the middle, note that the dorsal fin has appeared on the
surface while the blowholes are still open. Sei whales, generally
skimmer feeders and rather shallow divers, often show the dorsal fin and
much of the back for relatively long periods as they surface to breathe.
(_Photos from off central California, courtesy of National Marine
Fisheries Service_ (_middle_); _northeast of Hawaii by S. Ohsumi_ (_left
inset_); and _from off Japan by Japanese Whales Research Institute,
courtesy of H. Omura_ (right inset).)]

[Illustration: Figure 27.--A freshly dead sei whale from the Pacific
(top) and a stranded specimen in an advanced stage of decomposition at
Cape Island, S.C. (bottom and inset). Note that even though the
distinctive coloration of the fresh specimen has faded on the rotting
specimen, the numbers and lengths of the ventral grooves (38 to 56 in
number and stopping well short of the navel) still permit the specimen
to be distinguished from fin, blue, and Bryde's whales, in all of which
the grooves extend at least to the navel. (_Photos by Japanese Whales
Research Institute, courtesy of H. Omura (top); and J. G. Mead (bottom
and inset)._)]

[Illustration: Figure 28.--Dorsal view of a sei whale on the deck of a
whaling ship in the North Pacific. Note the numerous scars on the body
and the otherwise dark gray coloration of the back. (_Photo by Japanese
Whales Research Institute, courtesy of H. Omura._)]

[Illustration: Figure 29.--The right upper jaw of the sei whale stranded
at Cape Island, S.C. The baleen plates, here partly buried in the sand,
numbering from 318 to 340 per side and uniform dark gray with fine
lighter gray bristles, continue to serve as identifying characteristics
even on a badly decomposed specimen. (_Photo by J. G. Mead._)]

BRYDE'S WHALE (B)

_Balaenoptera edeni_ Anderson 1879

Other Common Names

None known.

Description

Bryde's whales reach a maximum length of approximately 46 feet (14 m).
They closely resemble sei whales in external appearance. At a distance,
the head of this species is similar in profile and general appearance to
that of the sei whale. The most distinctive field characteristic of the
species, however, is the presence of three ridge