Field recordings of Gervais' beaked whales Mesoplodon europaeus from the Bahamas

J Acoust Soc Am. 2009 May;125(5):3428-33. doi: 10.1121/1.3110832.

Abstract

The first recordings from free-ranging Gervais' beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) are presented. Nine Gervais' beaked whales were observed visually for over 6 h. Clicks were only detected over a 15 min period during the encounter, which coincided with an 88 min period during which no whales were observed at the surface. Click lengths were typically around 200 microS and their dominant energy was in the frequency range 30-50 kHz. While these clicks were broadly similar to those of Cuvier's and Blainville's beaked whales, the Gervais' beaked whale clicks were at a slightly higher frequency than those of the other species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Bahamas
  • Echolocation
  • Observation
  • Species Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Vocalization, Animal*
  • Whales / psychology*