Humpback whales, known for their acrobatic displays, are equally fascinating for their diverse feeding strategies. They employ several methods to secure their daily sustenance of up to two thousand pounds of prey per whale. Campbell River serves as a crucial feeding ground for these whales, drawing them in abundance due to its rich marine resources during the summer months from May to November. Here’s a glimpse into five feeding strategies of humpback whales:
Deep Dive Feeding
Humpbacks undertake solitary deep dives, descending to depths of about 200 feet for up to ten minutes. Using seafloor features like steep rock walls, they corral prey such as krill into concentrated masses. With a swift maneuver, the whale engulfs the prey-laden water, filtering it through its baleen plates before swallowing. When you are out on a whale watching tour, and see the fluke of a humpback whale, that is a sign for them to take one of those deep dives. This is the feeding strategy that you will most likely see on your whale watching tour with us!
Trap Feeding
A more recent discovery, trap feeding involves humpbacks floating vertically with mouths wide open near the surface. They use their pectoral fins to funnel fish and krill into their gaping jaws, minimizing energy expenditure while maximizing intake - a strategy observed primarily off the coasts of British Columbia. There are only 32 individual whales known to apply this feeding strategy and we every once in a whale do get lucky to observe it on our tours.
Flick Feeding
This method showcases the humpback’s agility. With head submerged and tail flicking above water, the whale creates waves that disorient and gather krill at the surface. This stunned prey is then easily gathered in the whale’s mouth - a spectacle often seen during feeding frenzies.
Lunge Feeding
Lunge feeding involves humpbacks exploiting teamwork and the panic response of small fish. Coordinating with diving seabirds like murres and auklets, the whales trap fish into tight balls near the surface. With a sudden burst, the whale lunges through the ball, mouth agape, consuming large quantities in a single maneuver.
Bubble Net Feeding
Perhaps the most iconic feeding strategy of humpback whales, bubble net feeding is a cooperative effort. Whales swim in circles below their prey, releasing streams of bubbles from their blowholes to create a barrier. Startled fish are herded into a concentrated area, where the whales then surge upwards through the center, mouths wide open, to capture their prey.
Source: NOAA / NEFSC
These strategies not only highlight the humpback’s adaptability but also underscore their role as key predators in marine ecosystems. Whether observing deep dives or bubble net feeding, encountering humpback whales in their natural habitat is always a treat.
Join us in Campbell River for an unforgettable journey and experience firsthand the humpback whales' unique feeding strategies.
Written by Maddie Lemke
Sources:
Eddy Savage (2023). Fascinating Wildlife Facts: Five Humpback Whale Feeding Strategies. https://www.nathab.com/blog/fascinating-wildlife-facts-five-humpback-whale-feeding-strategies/#:~:text=Perhaps%20the%20most%20well%2Dknown,of%20more%20than%2015%20whales.
MERS (2018). “Trap-Feeding” – a new Humpback feeding strategy. https://mersociety.wordpress.com/2018/11/03/trap-feeding-a-new-humpback-feeding-strategy/
