Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni Anderson, 1878

Sightings in Madeira

April to December

ID characteristics

Long, slender, greyish body with paler underside
Three parallel rostrum-ridges on head, the central one broader than the side ones
Broad flukes with paler undersides though variable
Dorsal fin falcated and normally erected though variable

Surface behaviour

Sometimes inquisitive, approaching boats or swimming alongside them
When diving it strongly arches its tailstock though flukes are never seen

Distribution

Worldwide between parallels 40º North and 40º South
In tropical, subtropical and some warm temperate waters

Social

1 or 2 individuals together

Diet

Fish, krill and other crustaceans

Biometrics

Max length: 15.6m
Adult weight: 12-20 ton

Blow

Vertical, narrow, 3 to 4 meters tall. normally 4 to 7 blows before diving

IUCN Status: Data deficient
Madeira frequency status: Common

Other languages common names

ENG - Tropical whale
GER - Brydewal
FRA - Baleinoptère de Bryde, Rorqual de Bryde, Rorqual d'Eden, Rorqual tropical
ESP - Ballena de Bryde, Rorcual tropical
SWE - Brydes fenval
DAN - Brydeshvaler
ITA - Balenottera di Eden
NED - Brydevinvis, Brydes vinvis, Brydewalvis
NOR - Brydehval, Sardinhval
POL - Płetwal Bryde’a
POR - Baleia-de-bryde, Baleia tropical