Sounds Recorded in the Presence of Adult and Calf Bowhead Whales, Balaena Mysticetus. Revision 1

• Main Authors: Ljungblad, D. K., Leatherwood, S., Dahlheim, M. E.
• Other Authors: NAVAL OCEAN SYSTEMS CENTER SAN DIEGO CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1979
• Subjects: Acoustics; *WHALES; UNDERWATER SOUND; TABLES(DATA); LOW FREQUENCY; BALAENA MYSTICETUS; Aldrich; Balaena mysticetus
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA080858; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA080858

There has been little information available on sounds produced by bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus. Aldrich (1889) described their sounds (heard through the hull of his boat and therefore somewhat modified) as resembling 'the hoo-oo-oo of a hoot-owl, though longer and drawn out, and more of a humming sound than a hoot.' He also referred to a slight rise in the pitch and number of calls: 'Beginning on F, the tone may rise to G, A and B, and sometimes to C before slanting back to F again.' Revision of report dated 26 May 1979, ADA071883.