Focus on: Madeira’s Bryde’s Whales

A variety of cetaceans are present in Madeiran waters, including Bottlenose Dolphins, Short-finned Pilot Whales, Common Dolphins and Sperm Whales. However, one species that is attracting scientific interest, and which is present around Madeira each year, is the Bryde’s (pronounced ‘brood-ess’) Whale.

Bryde's Whale by Tom Mabbett

Bryde’s Whale research by Filipe Alves

Bryde’s Whales are the least known of the large baleen whales and their regular appearance in Madeiran waters each year provides a good opportunity for researchers to find out more about these elegant rorquals*.

Bryde’s Whales are frequently found alone or in groups in the waters around Madeira from May to November. Unlike Bryde’s Whales studied in the Gulf of California, the ones present around Madeira synchronise diving and foraging movements with other whales in the area; the ones in California acted independently from each other in this respect. Furthermore, Filipe and his colleagues’ research suggests that Bryde’s Whales in Madeiran waters form stable associations, at least during part of their life.

Bryde’s Whales – Fact file

  • Named after John Bryde who helped set up a whaling station in South Africa where the species was first described
  • Bryde’s Whale, unlike other rorqual whales, is a warm-water species – it prefers water above 20°C
  • Feeds on schooling fish; also krill & copepods (small crustaceans)
  • Length 12-15m; females larger than males

How to identify Bryde’s Whale at sea

Bryde’s Whale is a tricky species to identify at sea for the novice, and requires a bit of practice – but here are some tips to get you started …

  • Strikingly similar to the Sei Whale, but Bryde’s Whale is slightly smaller and, uniquely among rorqual whales, has three ridges on the top of its head (rostrum) – the others only have one
  • Dorsal fin on the rear of its back is strongly sickle-shaped
  • Tall & narrow blow – 3-4m in height
  • When surfacing, the fin is visible well after the blowhole has disappeared

*rorquals are the largest family of baleen whales, both in terms of the number of members and the length of individual species. The family includes Bryde’s, Minke, Blue, Fin, Sei and Humpback Whales. Most rorqual whales are fast swimmers and feed by ‘lunging’ with a gaping mouth at gatherings of small prey.

Good tours to see Bryde’s Whales

Dolphins & Whales of Madeira

South Africa – Best of the Cape