Gervais' beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais, 1855)

Suborder: Odontoceti Family: Ziphiidae

April to June

ID characteristics

Robust, medium sized beaked whale mainly bluish grey to grey on the upperside and whitish below. Small, narrow head with indistinct melon and mid-length beak Mature male has a pair of teeth that erupt towards the tip of jawline

Small dorsal fin with variable shape, from shark-like to curved with a rounded tip