Eden's Whale Gulf of Thailand Foraging | Side Lunging

This is a Balaenoptera edeni whale in the Gulf of Thailand foraging for fish by side-lunging. Side-lunging started to become prevalent in 2017 and seems to have continued through 2018. The previous feeding behaviour of remaining stationary at the surface with open mouths has not been seen since 2016. As pictured here, terns of several species frequently gather to take advantage of the fish that foraging whales bring to the surface. This population is limited in size, several dozen individuals. It is quite likely that there is no mixing between this population and other B. edeni whales outside the Gulf of Thailand.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: edens-whale-foraging-gulf-thailand-with-terns-201810-0776.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 6390x3594 / 65.7MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Whale Bryde's Whale Eden's Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopteridae Balaenoptera edeni edeni CITES Appendix 1 Data Deficient: IUCN Red List Filter Feeder Marine Mammal Mysticete Rorqual Feeding Foraging Hunting Pacific Gulf of Thailand

This is a Balaenoptera edeni whale in the Gulf of Thailand foraging for fish by side-lunging. Side-lunging started to become prevalent in 2017 and seems to have continued through 2018. The previous feeding behaviour of remaining stationary at the surface with open mouths has not been seen since 2016. As pictured here, terns of several species frequently gather to take advantage of the fish that foraging whales bring to the surface. This population is limited in size, several dozen individuals. It is quite likely that there is no mixing between this population and other B. edeni whales outside the Gulf of Thailand.