Humpback Whale

The humpback whale is a baleen whale with very long pectoral fins, a knobbly head and patterned tail flukes. It feeds on small fish and krill, sometimes cooperating with other whales. Breaching and other surface movements make its behavior especially recognizable. Males produce complex songs, particularly in breeding areas. Many populations migrate between productive feeding grounds and warmer breeding waters. Bubble-net feeding occurs in some groups, where exhaled bubbles help concentrate prey before the whales engulf it.