Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
Fin Whale is the second largest whale on Earth and a frequent visitor of Saint Lawrence River during summer. It is a fast swimmer and it likes to gather in groups for feeding.
Common Names
| 🇨🇦 | Fin Whale |
| 🇫🇷 | Rorqual commun |
| 🇩🇪 | Finnwal |
| 🇲🇽 | Rorcual común, Ballena de aleta |
Taxonomy
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder | Cetacea |
| Family | Balaenopteridae |
Characteristics
| Length | 21-26m |
| Weight | 33.5-52t |
Explore More
🎧 Apple Podcast: About this species' biology, behavior and ecological importance.
Best Locations and Seasons for Sightings
This species can be observed during summer months (July, August and September) in Saguenay St Lawrence Marine Park.
Identification and Similar Species
The primary characteristic to identify this species is the form of the dorsal fin, with straight, not curved, anterior slope, the light grey color of the dorsal part, and the fact that this species doesn’t show the fluke when diving.
Captured Moments
Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.
Surfacing Recorded 2021-08-25 in Parc marin du Saguenay-Saint-Laurent
All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz
Last updated: 2025-05-14