Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

In the vast expanse of the world’s oceans, the Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) commands attention as the second-largest whale species, surpassed only by the colossal blue whale. Sporting a sleek and streamlined physique, the Fin whale glides through the waters with remarkable agility, earning its reputation as one of the ocean’s most efficient and swift marine creatures. Recognizable by its distinctive asymmetrical coloring on the lower jaw, the Fin whale is a captivating presence in both temperate and polar seas, exhibiting migratory patterns that span vast distances.

This remarkable species showcases an array of behaviors, from their characteristic vertical feeding lunges to the resonant low-frequency vocalizations that echo through the ocean depths. Our fact sheet delves into the intriguing aspects of Fin whale biology, exploring their unique characteristics, feeding habits, communication strategies, and the critical conservation challenges they face in our ever-changing marine environments.

Quick facts

Length

Male: 22m

Female: 23m

Calf: 6,5m

Weight

Male: 40 tons

Female: 50 tons

Calves: 1,7 ton

Habits

Dive Time

Up to 25mins

Dive Depth

100m

Reproduction

80-90 years

Life Span:

11mth

Gestation period:

Physical characteristics

Group Structure

Frequently seen alone, but often in small groups of 2–7; large, loose aggregations of several dozen (up to 100 in exceptional cases) may occur in highly productive areas.

Long-term mother-calf associations, other types are rare. Groups are not stable, with individuals moving between groups.

Dive sequence

@Georgina Cabayol

Behavior

Foraging +

Technique Used
Feeds intensively in summer (up to 1t per day), consumes much less in winter; lunge-feeder (often rolling on side – typically to the right); mouth opens to almost 90° angle; no evidence of cooperative feeding.

Diet
Opportunistic, depending on locality, season and availability. Northern hemisphere: mainly krill (especially northern krill), also copepods, schooling fish (including herring, mackerel, cod, pollock, capelin, sardines, sand lance, blue whiting), and some small squid.

Typical behavior +

Capable of swimming exceptionally fast – the normal cruising speed is 9–15km/h and it can do 37km/h for short bursts. Rarely breaches (more when feeling harassed). Often forms mixed schools with blue whales and sometimes associates with pilot whales and dolphins; often seen in large feeding aggregations with humpback whales, minke whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins and other species.

Predators

Fin whales, despite their immense size and status as one of the ocean’s apex predators, face a formidable adversary in the form of killer whales. Killer whales, or orcas, are known to be opportunistic hunters and have been documented engaging in attacks on Fin whales. These encounters often leave scars on various parts of the Fin whale’s body, including the flippers, flukes, and sides.

The scars bear witness to intense and strategic confrontations between these two marine titans, revealing the complex dynamics and potential predation pressures within the marine ecosystem. These interactions underscore the challenges faced by even the largest creatures in the ocean, providing valuable insights into the intricate balance of marine life.

https://wwhandbook.iwc.int/en/species/fin-whale

Distribution & Movements

The fin whale is a cosmopolitan cetacean. It is found in most large water masses of the world, from the Equator to the polar regions. Most migrate from the Arctic and Antarctic feeding areas in the summer to tropical breeding and calving areas in the winter. The location of winter breeding grounds is not known. It is rarely found in the tropics (except in certain cool-water areas such as off Peru) or in high latitudes near the ice edge.

Movements are complex: some populations appear to be migratory, with a general shift to higher latitudes for feeding in summer and lower latitudes for breeding (and less feeding) in winter, but they do not follow a simple pattern and breeding grounds remain uncertain (assuming such areas exist).

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual maturity

Females 7–8 years, males 5–7 years
Age at sexual maturity pre-1930s was 10–12 years, but dropped after whaling drastically depleted population. Physical maturity c. 25 years in both genders.

Gestation

11–11.5 months

Number of calves

Every two years
Occasionally three. Single calf born with peaks in November–December (northern hemisphere), May–June (southern hemisphere).

Suckling period

After 6–7 months

Mating strategy

Believed to be competition between males over females; limited evidence of mating in groups of 3–4, with two copulating and attendant males as bystanders.

Lifespan

Up to 80–90 years
Oldest recorded 114 years

Species in the Azores

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

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Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm whales hold the title of largest predator on Earth eating mostly giant squids from the deep oceans.

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

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Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

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Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

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Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

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Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

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Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Third-largest whale species on Earth, fast swimmers and deep-divers.

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

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Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

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Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Notable for their striking body patterns and acrobatic prowess.

Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

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Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

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Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

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False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

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Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

Sowerby’s Beaked Whales are elusive denizens of the North Atlantic, recognized by their slender beaks and distinctive forehead bulges.

Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

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Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

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Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

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Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

View profile

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

View profile

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

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Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

View profile

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

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Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

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Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

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Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

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Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

View profile

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

View profile

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

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Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Third-largest whale species on Earth, fast swimmers and deep-divers.

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

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Whale Watching Azores Essentials

Explore, Love, and Protect: Unveiling the essence of Whale Watching in the Azores

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Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Quick facts

Length

Weight

Habits

Reproduction

Reproduction

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Vulnerable <img class="graphics-design-i" src="/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/tooltip-more-info-futurismo.svg"> Elevated risk. Urgent conservation actions needed.

Physical characteristics

Group Structure

Dive sequence

Behavior

Predators

Distribution & Movements

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual maturity

Gestation

Number of calves

Suckling period

Mating strategy

Lifespan

Species in the Azores

Sighting frequency

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Species

Departure Points

Dates

Related Scientific Articles

González García, L. et al (2022): Sympatric baleen whales choose different habitat conditions in São Miguel

Sardà, C. et al (2013): Temporal Distribution of the Most Sighted Baleen Whales in Azores: Fin Whales and Sei Whales

Ernesto, M. et al (2021): Photo-ID Study of Fin Whales off São Miguel

Ojeda, V. et al (2018): Complex Temporal Distribution of Fin Whales and Sei Whales

Sousa, A. et al (2021): Climate change vulnerability of cetaceans in Macaronesia

Valente, R. et al (2019): Baleen whales in Macaronesia: occurrence patterns revealed through a bibliographic review

Valente, R. et al (2019): When and Where? Unravelling Distribution Patterns of Baleen Whales through a Bibliographic Review

Ojeda, V. et al. (2019): Baleen Whale Faeces in the Azores: Insights from Whale-Watching Platforms

Violi, B., et al. (2019): Occurrence of Fin Whale in the Azores Archipelago: Assessment of Migration Behavior and the First Photo-ID Catalogue

Borba, M. (2013): Analysis of the spatial intelligence of the presence of mysticetes with oceanic fronts

González, L. (2018): Spatio-temporal distribution of the order Cetacea in the Azores: relationship between biotic and abiotic variables

Ernesto, M. (2021): Fin whale identification and distribution around São Miguel Island (Azores) and inferences in the movements towards other areas

Related Blog Posts & News

Is the Fin Whale endangered? | Scientific Approach

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Vulnerable

Elevated risk. Urgent conservation actions needed.