Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Marine Mammal

Humpback Whale

The humpback whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) is a large baleen whale found in oceans around the world.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

The humpback whale is a large baleen whale found in oceans around the world. It is known for its long pectoral fins, complex songs, and long migrations between feeding and breeding areas.

What it is

Humpback whales are dark-backed baleen whales with pale undersides, distinctive throat pleats, and unusually long flippers. They grow about 12–18 m long and weigh up to 40 metric tons. The scientific name *Megaptera novaeangliae* refers to their wing-like fins.

Behaviour and feeding

Humpbacks feed mainly on krill, small fish, and plankton, using baleen plates to filter food. They are known for coordinated bubble-net feeding and for complex vocalisations called songs, especially during the breeding season. They also frequently breach.

Conservation and threats

Commercial whaling greatly reduced humpback numbers, but many populations have recovered since restrictions were put in place. The species is listed as Least Concern globally. Main modern threats include ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

In short

  • Baleen whale that filters food through plates rather than teeth
  • Known for long migrations between polar feeding and tropical breeding grounds
  • Famous for complex songs, especially during breeding season
  • Populations have recovered since commercial whaling was restricted
Canadian angle

Humpback whales are regularly seen along Canada’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts, including in waters used for whale watching and marine research.

Quick questions

What is the scientific name of the humpback whale?
The scientific name is *Megaptera novaeangliae*.
Is the humpback whale endangered?
Globally, no. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern, although some local populations are still at risk.
What do humpback whales eat?
They mainly eat krill, small fish, and plankton using baleen to filter food from water.

Sources

  1. National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/humpback-whale
    Supports: Scientific name, global range, size, diet, conservation status, threats
  2. PBS Nature — https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/humpback-whale-fact-sheet/
    Supports: Species identity, family, size, conservation status, estimated mature individuals
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/humpback-whale
    Supports: Species classification, size, songs, general description
  4. International Whaling Commission — https://iwc.int/about-whales/whale-species/humpback-whale
    Supports: Worldwide occurrence, habitat preference, whale-watching relevance, conservation context
  5. NSW Environment and Heritage — https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-animals/native-animal-facts/marine-mammals/whales/humpback-whale
    Supports: Baleen feeding, baleen plates, diet, recognizability
  6. The Marine Mammal Center — https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/animal-care/learn-about-marine-mammals/cetaceans/humpback-whale
    Supports: Name origin, flipper length, physical description, size