Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
A mid-sized whale, black on the back and pink, white belly, with curved dorsal fin. Migratory whale spending summer in the arctic and winter in the tropics.
Common Names
| 🇨🇦 | Northern Minke Whale |
| 🇫🇷 | Petit Rorqual, Baleine de Minke |
| 🇩🇪 | Zwergwal |
| 🇲🇽 | Ballena de minke común, Ballena enana |
Taxonomy
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder | Cetacea |
| Family | Balaenopteridae |
Characteristics
| Length | 6-8m |
| Weight | 2-4.5t |
Explore More
🎧 Apple Podcast: About this species' biology, behavior and ecological importance.
Best Locations and Seasons for Sightings
My first Minke Whale observation happened in Tadoussac in late May. Minke whales stay in St. Lawrence Winter all summer. During a two week stay in Portneuf-sur-Mer in the second half of August, I had many observations.
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park | - | x | - | - |
"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.
Identification and Similar Species
Black or dark grey back, white, pink belly, and white stripe across the flippers are distinctive characteristics.
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: 2024-12-19