humpback whale song frequency

Credit: cdellamore, Sign up today to get weekly science coverage direct to your inbox. “The question arises as to whether the low frequency (ca. During the song, humpbacks produce an intricate series of sounds ranging from high frequency squeals to deep, low frequency rumbles. Though they have always been known for their wide vocal range, humpbacks in the waters around Hawaii have recently been observed producing bursts of sound at much lower frequencies than any previously recorded, adding to the sense of mystery surrounding their choral behavior.

The purpose of the newly-discovered vocalization is unknown, and adds to the mystery surrounding whale song in general. This song, which can range anywhere from 10-30 minutes long, is performed solely by male humpback whales -- but for a reason that currently eludes scientists.

Whit Welles via Wikimedia Commons, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. repetitive low frequency signals of humpback whale songs, are detectable at distances of 9–32 km or more using a hydrophone (Winn et al. The humpback whale is well known for its long and complex song. In … This website uses cookies to improve user experience. Marine biologist Philip Clapham describes the song as "probably the most complex in the animal kingdom." Humpback vocalizations, including the complex and wide-ranging “whale song” performed by males, typically have an audio frequency between 80 and 4,000 hertz (Hz).

Speaking to National Geographic, Darling explained that it took him several years to identify the source of the sound, believing at first that it may have been generated by helicopters or submarines. 40 Hz) pulses are a part of the humpback whale's song and social sound repertoire, or if they are a different “genre” entirely,” he ponders. 1975; Levenson and Leapley 1978; Winn and Winn 1978). While previous recordings of humpback whale song have revealed a frequency range of between 80 hertz and 4 kilohertz, those witnessed by Darling registered just 40 hertz. Recording of whale sounds in Maui, including low-frequency pulses as described by James Darling. Describing the whales’ behavior in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Darling explained that underwater audio recordings revealed low-frequency “pulses” of sound, strung together in groups called “packets”, which combine to form “bouts”. Frankel (1994) collected data from an array of hydro- phones and estimated the source level of the singing hump-back whales to be about 140 to 170 dB re 1 μPa, where most of the whales were 2 to 8 km away. While previous recordings of humpback whale song have revealed a frequency range of between 80 hertz and 4 kilohertz, those witnessed by Darling registered just 40 hertz. Humpback whales have for years left marine biologists dazzled and mystified with their eerily beautiful yet bafflingly complex array of songs. While the primary purpose of whale song may be to attract females, it is almost certain that whale song serves myriad purposes.

The new sound was recorded on a number of occasions between 2005 and 2013, always at the height of the winter assembly, which sees around 10,000 humpbacks gather in the region each year to mate and give birth. While he still cannot confirm beyond doubt that it is indeed being produced by the whales, he says it’s “very unlikely” that anything other than the humpbacks is responsible for the rumblings, which he compares to “listening to a heartbeat with a stethoscope.”. The bouts recorded by Darling were highly variable in length and structure, ranging from 3 to 93 seconds, with gaps between the packets of between 6 and 96 seconds.

Only male humpbacks sing, so it was at first assumed that the songs were solely for courting. For this reason, James Darling of Whale Trust Maui speculates that the peculiar call may be somehow “involved in breeding behavior patterns,” yet admits that many questions remain unanswered. Humpbacks repeat patterns of low notes that vary in amplitude and frequency in consistent patterns over a period of hours or even days.

Song is prevalent in this feeding and migratory habitat, spanning nine months of the year (September–May), peaking in winter (November–January), and reaching a maximum of 86% temporal coverage (during November 2017). For instance, songs, which can last for up to half an hour and are performed exclusively by males, tend to be coordinated among whales living within the same area as one another, who typically perform almost identical vocalizations.

By continuing to use our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. For an idea of exactly what these pulses sound like, check out the recording below. Humpback whales in the waters around Hawaii have been recorded making some unusual sounds. However, the songs often change dramatically from one season to the next, making it difficult for researchers to decipher their function or meaning. Two groups of whales, the humpback whale and the subspecies of blue whale found in the Indian Ocean, are known to produce a series of repetitious sounds at varying frequencies known as whale song.

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