The daily and seasonal patterns of behavior and abundance of humpback
whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hawaiian waters.
- Helweg, D.A.
University of Hawaii, Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Lboratory, 1129
Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA, 96814
-
- (C) 1989 University of Hawaii
This field study provides data that reveal the temporal patterns
of the behavior and distribution of humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae) in Hawaiian waters. Observations of whale distribution
and behavior were collected during the months of January to April
in 1987 and 1988 from elevated shore stations on Maui and Hawaii,
using scan sampling and focal observation Acoustic data were gathered
from January to June, 1988 from a fixed hydraphone off the west
coast of Kauai.
The rates of respirations , headlunging, and lateral fluke displays
increased across the day. The rate of resting and no-blow rises
were high at 0700. The noon sample was characterized by high rates
of behaviors that involve slapping the surface, such as headslaps,
fluke slaps and peduncle slaps. The modal size of pods with calves
increased from two to three between 0700 and 0900, indicating
that calf pods were not likely to be escorted early in the morning.
Singing was heard day and night with a midmorning peak in the
number singers. The percentage of pods with three or more adults
increased across the day. This data suggests that the whales were
resting in the predawn hours and that male-male competition peaked
in the late afternoon.
The percentage of pods with calves as one member increased across
the season, but the total number of calves seen peaked in mid-March,
after which the total number of calves declined. Pods with calves
were first observed in the first week of February in 1987 and
1988. Numbers of pods and whales counted per hour effort peaked
in the first two weeks of February, but observations without whale
sightings suggest that the local peaks may shift from region to
region. Seasonal changes in pod types suggest that mature males
are prepared to compete for mating opportunities are limited by
the number of estrous females.
Helweg, D.A. (1989). The daily and seasonal patterns of behavior
and abundance of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hawaiian
waters. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Hawaii, Honolulu.
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