WBD Fact File

What is a white-beaked dolphin?

White-beaked dolphins are a member of the Delphinidae family which comprises at least 33 species of oceanic dolphin and small whale. Their scientific name, Lagenorhynchus albirostris, refers to the white (albi-) beak (rostrum) which is their most characteristic feature. A description of the identification features of white-beaked dolphins can be found on the Identification Page. The white-beaked dolphin is currently listed as “Data Deficient” by the World Conservation Union (IUCN, 1996).

Where are they found?

White-beaked dolphins are endemic to the North Atlantic Ocean, where they inhabit high-latitude temperate and cold-water regions as far north as the pack-ice and as far south as France and Cape Cod. It is likely that there are separate populations on each side of the Atlantic, with the species being more abundant off Europe than along the American and Canadian seaboards. The British Isles comprise a significant portion of the entire worldwide geographical range inhabited by white-beaked dolphins, and they are widespread in continental shelf waters (< 200 m depth) to the north and west of Scotland. They are also the most abundant dolphin species found in the North Sea.

What do they eat?

A wide variety of fish, cephalopods and crustaceans are taken by white-beaked dolphins, including both schooling prey in the mid-water column and larger bottom-dwelling species that they may forage for on the seabed.

How do they behave?

Like all cetaceans, white-beaked dolphins exhibit a range of behaviours. However, they spend the majority of their lives subsurface where their behaviour is not easy to observe. When at the surface white-beaked dolphins are often demonstrative, breaching from the surface and bow-riding passing vessels. In the eastern Atlantic they typically occur in small schools numbering less than 10 animals. Some typical behaviours are shown below.

White-beaked dolphins frequently leap from the water, but are not as agile as many other dolphin species

In Scottish waters this species is an avid bow-rider but tends to lose interest in boats quite quickly, spending only a few minutes on the bow

Their usual breaching behaviour involves emerging from the water and falling back onto their back or sides, often repeated several times in succession

When moving quickly white-beaked dolphins often surface with a distinctive burst of spray, their tall fins and white beaks very apparent

Slow-moving white-beaked dolphins roll gently at the surface without spray, showing their dorsal profile, the white blazes along each flank, and their diagnostic white 'saddle' patch behind the dorsal fin

On rare occasions, solitary white-beaked dolphins may become curious about human divers. This animal spent several weeks swimming with people in a fjord in Stavanger, Norway during 2005

What are the threats to white-beaked dolphins?

The threats to white-beaked dolphins have been poorly documented, since this species has received little research focus. However, it is known to be caught as bycatch during fishing operations in the North Sea and probably elsewhere. Over-fishing of prey species is potentially a problem throughout their range. In the northernmost regions, white-beaked dolphins may become entrapped in ice where they suffocate or are crushed. Offshore industry occurs through much of their European range, with unknown impacts from geophysical exploration surveys and oil spills. There are increasing concerns about the potential impact on white-beaked dolphins from climate change, with some studies suggesting that the species has decreased in recent years as water temperatures have increased.

Why has there been so little previous research on white-beaked dolphins?

White-beaked dolphins are largely pelagic animals and are difficult to study compared to some other species such as bottlenose dolphins which inhabit coastal waters. Furthermore, white-beaked dolphins appear to be rather wide-ranging and may show strong seasonal movements between areas. The expense and difficult working conditions involved with chartering vessels means that they have received comparatively little research attention. Some cetacean species such as humpback whales, killer whales and bottlenose dolphins have been very well-studied due to the prevalence of natural markings such as pigmentation patterns on tail flukes and nicks in the dorsal fins. White-beaked dolphins appear to present few reliable natural markings to aid long-term studies. However, many of these factors remain unknown and research is needed to determine the feasibility of establishing long-term studies on free-ranging white-beaked dolphins to better determine their conservation status.

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