Singers of the ocean
Humpbacks are large baleen whales with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. They make some of the most complex sounds in the animal kingdom.
Songs that change
Male humpbacks sing long, patterned songs made up of themes that repeat in a set order. All males in a population sing roughly the same version, and the song slowly changes from year to year. Sometimes a new song spreads rapidly through neighbouring populations. Researchers are still working on why they sing, with courtship and male–male signalling both proposed. Our article on whale communication covers the topic in more detail.
Recovery after whaling
Humpbacks were heavily hunted until the mid-twentieth century. Since protection began, many populations have recovered strongly, though ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear and underwater noise remain risks.
Listen
What it sounds like: Long, structured songs sung mainly by males, plus social calls.
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.