Whale Songs Reveal New Humpback Breeding Grounds in Northwestern Hawaii

Scientific acoustic monitoring has uncovered previously unknown calving grounds for Humpback whales, expanding the map of their winter habitats beyond the main Hawaiian Islands.

According to a study published in the Marine Ecology Progress Series, scientists have long believed that Humpback whales primarily gave birth and raised their calves within the waters of the eight main Hawaiian Islands. However, new acoustic evidence suggests their breeding range is significantly larger than previously estimated.

Whale Songs Reveal New Humpback Breeding Grounds in Northwestern Hawaii

Expanding the Map

A team of American researchers, led by Marc Lammers from the University of Hawaii, discovered that the whale nursery grounds extend well into the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

The discovery was made by tracking the unique songs of the Humpback whale. Male whales are known to sing to females during the winter breeding season, creating a new, complex melody each year that is shared and repeated by males across the region.

Acoustic Evidence

By utilizing specialized recording equipment, the researchers detected these distinct breeding songs in the remote chain of small islands northwest of the main archipelago.

• The Finding: The presence of these songs confirms that Humpback whales are not only visiting but actively rearing their young in these remote northwestern waters during the winter.
• The Mystery: While the link between singing and breeding is clear, scientists have yet to definitively determine the exact biological function or "reason" why the animals sing.

Conservation and Recovery

Humpback whales were once driven to the brink of extinction. However, thanks to international protection programs, their population numbers are currently rebounding.

Key Humpback Whale Facts:

• Size: These massive marine mammals can grow up to 19 meters (62 feet) in length.
• Weight: A mature adult can weigh up to 30 tons.
• Distinctive Features: Aside from their unique songs, Humpback whales are famous for their pectoral fins, which are exceptionally long and can reach up to one-third of their total body length.