Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758

Sightings in Madeira

December to May

ID characteristics

Dark cape making a “V” below the dorsal fin with conspicuous yellowish or tan thoracic panel.
Black spot around the eye and stripe from middle lower jaw to flipper
Tall, falcate and pointed dorsal fin
Medium, chunky beak with pale base

Surface behaviour

Fast swimmer and acrobat
Highly vocal, sometimes can be heard above the surface
Can associate with other mammals or seabirds’ feeding frenzies

Distribution

Worldwide between the 40º parallels though it can reach 60º North in the Atlantic and 50º South in the Pacific.
Warm temperate, subtropical and tropical waters around the world

Social

Groups between 10 to a few hundred

Diet

Fish and squid

Biometrics

Max length: 2.7 m
Adult weight: 70 to 110 kg

IUCN Status: Least concern
Madeira frequency status: Very Common

Other languages common names

GER - Gemeine Delfin, Gewöhnlicher Delfin
FRA - Dauphin commun à bec court,
ESP - Delfín común de hocico corto
SWE - Sadeldelfin, Kortnosad vanlig delfin, Springare
DAN - Almindelige delfin
ITA - Delfino comune
NED - Gewone dolfijn
NOR - Gulflankedelfin, Vanleg delfin
POL - Delfin zwyczajny, Delfin pospolity, Delfin zwyczajny krótkopyski
POR - Golfinho comum