Suborder: Mysticeti Family: Balaenopteridae
March to October
ID characteristics
Very large, elongated, dark-grey to brownish-black body with whitish undersides Flattish V shaped head with narrow longitudinal ridge and asymmetrical pigmentation
Short, dorsal fin with shape and angle very variable
Surface behaviour
Can be a slower swimmer when in leisure but one of the fastest reaching 16 knots (30km/h)
When surfacing head comes out of the water first with blow and rear body appears, arched, after head is underwater. Rarely shows flukes when diving.
Distribution
Worldwide, mainly in deep offshore waters at temperate latitudes and southern hemisphere though its separate populations may be all the way to 80º North and 80º South.
Social
3 to 7 individuals
Diet
Krill, crustaceans, fish and squid
Biometrics
Max length: 27 meters
Adult weight: 30 to 80 ton
Blow
Vertical, occasionally cone shaped, up to 6 meters high
IUCN Status: Endangered
Madeira frequency status: Common
Other languages common names
ENG - Common Rorqual, Finback whale, Razorback Whale GER - Finnwal FRA - Baleine à nageoires, Baleine fin, Baleinoptère commune, Rorqual commun ESP - Rorcual Común, Ballena de Aleta SWE - Sillval DAN - Finhval ITA - Balenottera comune NED - gewone vinvis NOR - Finnkval, Finnhval POL - Finwal
POR - Baleia comum, Baleia-fin e Rorqual-comum
