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|07-07-2019| Sowerby's Beaked Whale, Sperm whales and Risso's dolphins, Azores!

Today we found a Beaked whale jumping several times. There were at least two animals (maybe 3) but only one of them was jumping. It was a Sowerby's Beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens).

Beaked Whale jumping

Looking better at the pictures we could see that it was a male: if you look at its beak, you can see the tooth. Only male-Beaked whales have these fangs.

Sowerby's Beaked whale

After several jumps, the Beaked whales dived. They don't usually spend too much time at the surface.


Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were in the area too.

Adult female and juvenile of Sperm whale

We could see adult females with juveniles. The behavior that they showed looked like they were breastfeeding.

Adult female and juvenile of Sperm whale

The whales dived, showing their tails (flukes).


Very characteristic fluke due to the cuts

Sperm whale diving

Fluke and peduncle of the Sperm whale

Smaller animals were on sight too, this time Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus). A pod of 6-8 animals near the shoreline.