Identifying Hawaiian cetacean species

There are a number of species of Hawaiian odontocetes that are difficult to distinguish in the field, and we have made up one-page sheets that include photographs and text that point out the key features to distinguish them. The purpose of these ID sheets is for folks to print out and carry in the field to help in IDing species. Photographs on these sheets are copyrighted and should not be used for any other purpose. The four sheets available are for Hawaiian “blackfish”, dwarf & pygmy sperm whales, pygmy killer whales & melon-headed whales, and Cuvier’s & Blainville’s beaked whales. Click on the sheets to download.

Identifying “blackfish” in Hawaiian waters

Discriminating between dwarf and pygmy sperm whales

Discriminating between pygmy killer whales and melon-headed whales

Discriminating between Cuvier’s and Blainville’s beaked whales