Humpback whale song occurs extensively on feeding grounds in the western North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Male humpback whales produce complex, patterned songs that are traditionally heard on their breeding grounds. Short-term studies demonstrated that they also sing along migration routes and on higher-latitude feeding grounds. This study expands the current understanding of feeding-ground song by providing yearlong views of singing activity. Acoustic recordings were made in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, part of the western North Atlantic Ocean feeding grounds. Recordings were made in 2006 and 2008. Song occurred during all months except February 2006 and June 2008. Song occurred most frequently in November for both years (mean SE -2006: 18.26 0.66 h with song d -1 ; 2008: 18.59 0.82 h with song d -1 ).