The white whale
Belugas are small, white whales with a rounded forehead called a melon. They have no dorsal fin, which helps them swim under ice, and they gather in large groups in river estuaries during summer.
A very vocal whale
Belugas produce a wide variety of chirps, whistles and clicks, which earned them the nickname “canaries of the sea”. They use clicks for echolocation under ice and calls for social contact. Their vocal flexibility allows them to adjust calls in noisy water.
Pressures in a changing Arctic
Loss of sea ice, increased shipping noise and pollution are growing concerns. Some populations, such as those in the St. Lawrence estuary, are much smaller than in the past and are closely monitored.
Listen
What it sounds like: Whistles, clicks and squeals — sometimes called “canaries of the sea”.
To hear independent recordings, try Freesound. Check each recording’s licence before reusing it. See Media & Sources.
Further reading: Ocean Giants: How Whales Use Sound to Talk Across Oceans
Conservation status follows the IUCN Red List as we understand it at the time of writing. Assessments are revised regularly, so please check the IUCN Red List for the current listing.