New England Seabirds
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Dolphins and Porpoises
Atlantic
White-sided Dolphin |
 Photographed on Jeffreys Ledge in July 2001 by Steve Mirick and used with his permission. This photo and all photos on this page remains the property of the photographer. |
Dolphins and Porpoises are Cetaceans
Dolphins, porpoises, and whales make up the order Cetacea. Dolphins and porpoises along with Pilot and Sperm whales are toothed whales as opposed to the larger baleen whales.
Riding the Bow-wave
Dolphins riding the bow-wave of the boat always add excitement to a pelagic trip. Almost any trip to Stellwagen Bank will produce whales. Dolphins are more elusive and not expected on every trip. What a joy they are when they do arrive. Experienced captains know how to drive the boat to encourage the dolphins to ride with the boat.
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A Common Dolphin riding the bow-wave of the
boat was photographed through the water by Emmalee Tarry. |
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
The dolphin most likely to be seen on Stellwagen Bank trips is the Atlantic White-sided Dolphin.. Named for the white patch on its side, it has a gray ribbon like strip that extends from above the eye to the tail. with a gold stripe near the tail. It readily rides the bow-wave. Notice the white stripe which is followed by the golden stripe toward the tail.
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Atlantic White-sided Dolphin photographed on
Newburyport Whale Watch by Dave Austin. See his other
photos on
http://www.pbase.com/northwoods/sept_whalebird_watch |
| Atlantic White-sided Dolphin photographed on Cashes Ledge trip in 2000 by Steve Mirick and used with his permission. |  |
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Even when the dolphins are not leaping from the water, you can see the white oval on the side followed by the golden stripe. |
Common Dolphin
Common Dolphin also ride the bow-wave. They are more likely to be seen south of Cape Cod and offshore. The common has a golden stripe above and behind the eye. Whereas the Atlantic White-sided Dolphin has the gold strip toward the tail.
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Common Dolphin photographed on June 28 BBC Pelagic to Atlantis Canyon by Chris Cicconi and used with his permission. Photograph remains the property of the photographer. See other photos on his blog |
| Common Dolphins feed at night and often seem to be playing in large groups during the day time. This is part of the large pod of dolphins seen on the June 28 BBC pelagic to Atlantis Canyon by Chris Ciccone. |
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Common Bottle-nosed Dolphin Two populations of Common Bottle-nosed Dolphins are recognized. The coastal population is well known by its representation as "Flipper" of television fame, performing in dolphin shows and exploited in "swim with" programs. Pelagic birders are more likely to encounter the offshore Bottle-nosed Dolphin on continental shelf edge trips. Bottle-nosed Dolphins are a combination of gray tones lighter on the underside and darker on the upper part of the body. They jump and ride bow waves. are a different population from the more familiar inshore dolphins usually seen in dolphin shows and "swim with" programs. These were photographed by Steve Mirick on 2001 Hydrographers Canyon trip.
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Also called "Grampus", Risso's Dolphin can be seen on offshore trips on the east coast. The Risso's Dolphin has a beakless head and a body that is larger toward the head tampering toward the tail. The body lightens with age and is often highly scarred. The dorsal fin is tall and remains dark. Flippers are sickle shaped.
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This picture taken by Glenn Tepke off the coast of California and used with his permission shows the beakless head and scarring of the body of one individual and the tall dark dorsal fin of another. Notice the lack of a beak and the sickle-shaped flippers. |
| Two Risso's Dolphins photographed by Scott Spangenberg in New England waters. |
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