Creatures and Features: Bryde's Whale

The Bryde’s (pronounced ‘brooders’) can grow up to 15 metres in length and weigh up to 40 tonnes. They can be distinguished from other baleen whales by the three long ridges on the top of their heads, which is unique only to the Bryde’s whale.

They have the nick name of ‘the tropical whale’ as they are not usually seen in cooler waters. In New Zealand they are only regularly seen in the waters around the North Island, with the majority of sightings in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The marine park is an important area for cow and calf Bryde’s whales.

Bryde’s whales are able to feed on three different types of food – fish, krill and plankton. In the Hauraki Gulf, when they are feeding on fish, they are usually seen feeding alongside common dolphins and different species of shearwater petrel feeding on the same food.

They are shallow divers and spend a majority of their time in the top 10 metres of water. There is a population of only around 140 individuals and have a nationally critical status in New Zealand.

Photo credit – Nathan Meadows