Study Links Humpback Whale Songs to Diving Behavior

Researchers from Syracuse University have discovered a link between the song structure of male humpback whales and their diving behavior. This study, led by Julia Zeh, a Ph.D. graduate, highlights how specific themes in whale songs correspond to different phases of their dives, offering new insights into their acoustic communication.

The research involved attaching sound-and-movement recording tags to singing humpback whales off Maui from 2018 to 2024. The tags recorded underwater sounds and movements, allowing the team to analyze the songs of 16 tagged whales. Findings revealed that some whales sang continuously for up to 16 hours, with recurring song elements aligning with specific dive segments.

This connection suggests that the variability in song themes may be influenced by sexual selection, particularly during the deepest parts of a dive. The study also indicates potential applications for acoustic monitoring, enabling researchers to infer whale depth and behavior from song recordings. Future research may explore whether similar patterns exist in humpback populations globally.