Surface observation of a birth of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) on the northeast coast of Brazil

Patterns of Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Humpback Whales at the Southern Limit of the Southeast Pacific Breeding Area

“…However, much research is still needed to reveal the influence of the thermal gradients on humpback whales distribution and habitat requirements, particularly for mother-calf pairs and newborn calves. For example, there are two existing observations of humpback whale parturition [46] , [47] and only the observation in Brazilian waters reports a sea surface temperature of 24°C at the moment of birth [46] . Although very preliminary, this may suggest that births occur in warmer areas inside the breeding region and that zones with slightly colder temperatures may function principally as habitats for calf development.…”

Observations of parturition in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and occurrence of escorting and competitive behavior around birthing females

“…Whereas on the east Australian humpback whale migration, Brown and Corkeron (1995) hypothesized that travel with conspecifics may be advantageous to mothers and calves to deter shark predation. With only three previously published accounts of humpback whale birthing events, it is not known if females typically give birth alone, as indicated by observations of Ferreira et al (2014) and Silvers et al (1997), or if they are more commonly accompanied by escorting whales during parturition (Faria et al, 2013). Here we investigate and collate information from all known observations of birthing events of humpback whales to date, with an aim to provide new insight into the reproductive biology and behavior of the species during parturition.…”

“…Of the 89 extant species of cetaceans recognized today (Committee on Taxonomy, 2018), only nine have been witnessed giving birth in the wild (Béland et al, 1990; Notarbartolo‐di‐Sciara et al, 1997; Perrtree et al, 2016; Stacey & Baird, 1997; Weilgart & Whitehead, 1986). Of the large mysticete whales, there are only four species where observers have been present during parturition; the gray whale ( Eschrichtius robustus ; Balcomb, 1974; Leatherwood & Beach, 1975; Mills & Mills, 1979) North Atlantic right whale ( Eubalaena glacialis ; Foley et al, 2011; Zani et al, 2008) southern right whale ( E. australis ; Best, 1981; Sironi et al, 2019), and humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ; Faria et al, 2013; Ferreira et al, 2014; Silvers et al, 1997). In two of only three published cases of humpback whale births, a lone female was recorded to have given birth and no other conspecifics were reported in close proximity (Ferreira et al, 2014; Silvers et al, 1997).…”

“…Of the large mysticete whales, there are only four species where observers have been present during parturition; the gray whale ( Eschrichtius robustus ; Balcomb, 1974; Leatherwood & Beach, 1975; Mills & Mills, 1979) North Atlantic right whale ( Eubalaena glacialis ; Foley et al, 2011; Zani et al, 2008) southern right whale ( E. australis ; Best, 1981; Sironi et al, 2019), and humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ; Faria et al, 2013; Ferreira et al, 2014; Silvers et al, 1997). In two of only three published cases of humpback whale births, a lone female was recorded to have given birth and no other conspecifics were reported in close proximity (Ferreira et al, 2014; Silvers et al, 1997). However, in the third a female gave birth while escorted by three other adult humpback whales and was described to be in a competitive group of six whales just prior to the birth (Faria et al, 2013).…”

First observed wild birth and acoustic record of a possible infanticide attempt on a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

“…; humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae : Ferreira et al . , Faria et al . ; and gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus : Balcomb , Leatherwood and Beach , Mills and Mills ) and odontocetes (sperm whale, Physeter catodon : Gambell et al .…”