North Sea beaked whales reach a length of at least 16.5 feet (5 m). The
body is distinctly spindle-shaped, but apparently more robust near
midbody than that of the dense-beaked whale. The head is characterized
by a pronounced bulge in front of the blowhole, a slightly concave
forehead, and a moderate to long beak. The flippers are relatively long
(one-eighth to one-ninth the body length). The dorsal fin is reportedly
tall and variable in shape from triangular to slightly falcate and is
located just behind the midpoint of the back. The flukes are not notched
but are sometimes quite concave on the rear margin.

Adult North Sea beaked whales are dark charcoal gray on the back with
white spots overall. Young animals are also dark charcoal gray on the
back but are lighter on the belly and are unspotted. The flukes of
adults are dark above and below. Those of young are dark above, lighter
below.

Natural History Notes

North Sea beaked whales are known to feed on squid.

May Be Confused With

North Sea beaked whales are the most northerly species of beaked whales.
No other species is very likely to be encountered in the same area.

Distribution

North Sea beaked whales have been reported in the offshore waters from
the latitude of New England north perhaps to the pack ice. Individuals
are occasionally drawn to the coasts of Newfoundland in summer,
presumably by concentrations of squid, a known food item.

Stranded Specimens

The teeth of North Sea beaked whales are located about midway between
the tip of the snout and the corner of the mouth. Except for this
characteristic and their northerly distribution, however, this species
might easily be confused with any other of the beaked whales species.

[Illustration: Figure 86.--North Sea beaked whales are the most
northerly of the beaked whale species, extending north as far as the
pack ice. They reach at least 16.5 feet (5.0 m) and can be identified on
the beach by the position of the teeth near the middle of the lower jaw.
Little is known of the species at sea. (_Drawing by L. Winn._)]

[Illustration: Figure 87.--A female North Sea beaked whale (16.5 feet
[5.0 m]) stranded in Hjertuika in 1957. (_Photo courtesy of A.
Jonsgard._)]

KILLER WHALE (T)

_Orcinus orca_ (Linnaeus 1758)

Other Common Names

Blackfish (see also pilot whales, p. 91 and 94), sword fish (Canada),
grampus (see p. 96), whitefish (St. Vincent), Espladon (Quebec).

Des