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Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

The humpback whale is a species found in all oceans, migrating up to 25'000 km each year. Humpbacks feed in polar waters and mate and give birth in tropical and subtropical waters.

At a Glance – Humpback Whale

When is the best season to see Humpback Whales in Québec?

The most reliable period is the warm season, with especially consistent observations in summer and early autumn.

• Core window: Late spring to autumn.
• Regional hotspot: Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and nearby St. Lawrence corridors.
• Observation pattern: Boat-based outings usually provide more frequent encounters than shore-only viewing.

How can I identify a Humpback Whale quickly in the field?

Look for three combined cues: very long pectoral fins, a knobby head, and regular fluke display before deeper dives.

• Silhouette: Robust body with a small dorsal fin set on a hump.
• Behaviour: Breaching and other surface-active displays are common compared with many local rorquals.
• Comparison guide: Identifying Whales in Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park.

What do Humpback Whales eat in the St. Lawrence region?

Humpback Whales are baleen filter-feeders that target concentrated prey patches in productive waters.

• Main prey: Krill and other zooplankton.
• Also taken: Small schooling fish such as herring, capelin, and sand lance.
• Seasonal dynamic: Feeding intensity rises in northern waters during the warm season.

Identification and Similar Species

Humpback Whale is usually straightforward to identify by its very long pectoral fins, knobby head, and frequent fluke display before deeper dives.

Its dorsal fin is relatively small and often sits on a noticeable hump, which helps separate it from more streamlined rorquals in brief surfacing views.

For practical side-by-side local comparison, see Identifying Whales in Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park.

Similar species

• Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) - More elongated body, smaller pectoral fins, and less frequent fluke display.
• Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) - Much larger overall profile, broader body, and less acrobatic surface behaviour.
• Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Much smaller with faster, lower-profile surfacing.

Observed Behaviour - Québec (Field Recordings)

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  A Humpback Whale raises and slaps its fluke at the surface in a forceful, splashy display before dropping it back into the water.

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  A Humpback Whale lifts its fluke high before diving, clearly revealing the underside pattern that can be used for individual identification.

Best Locations and Seasons for Sightings

In Québec, Humpback Whale is a regular warm-season visitor in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and adjacent St. Lawrence waters.

The most consistent period is typically late spring to autumn, with strong viewing opportunities in summer around Tadoussac and nearby marine corridors.

This species can also be seen from shore at some viewpoints, but boat-based observation generally provides more frequent and closer encounters.

"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from my park visit journals.

Ecology and Behaviour

Distribution

Humpback Whale has a near-global marine distribution, occurring in all major oceans with strong seasonal migrations between high-latitude feeding grounds and warmer breeding areas (Wikipedia; EOL).

In eastern Canada, it is regularly observed in the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence, including Québec waters, where summer prey resources support feeding activity.

The species is globally listed as Least Concern, but regional pressures remain important, especially ship strikes, fishing-gear entanglement, and chronic underwater noise (Wikipedia; NOAA Fisheries).

Diet

Humpback Whale is a baleen filter-feeding predator that consumes dense prey patches, often using lunge feeding and, in some populations, cooperative bubble-net behaviour.

• Main prey: Krill and other zooplankton.
• Fish prey: Small schooling fish such as herring, capelin, and sand lance.
• Seasonal pattern: Feeding is concentrated in productive northern waters during the warm season, while intake drops during migration and breeding.

References – Humpback Whale

Most content on this page is based on my direct field observations. General species background (taxonomy, range, and broader ecology) is informed by the sources listed below.

• EOL - Taxonomy and species profile
• Wikipedia - Broad species overview and background
• NOAA Fisheries - Conservation, identification, and management overview
• Mingan Island Cetacean Study - Regional profile for St. Lawrence waters

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: 2026-05-27