Mammals
Baird's Beaked Whale
Berardius bairdii · also called Bairds beaked whale, North Pacific bottlenose whale
Surfacing together in a tightly coordinated group, a pod of Baird’s beaked whales briefly breaks the surface of the North Pacific before diving again in pursuit of deep-sea squid, the largest beaked whale species and one of the few ever targeted by commercial whaling at any real scale.
Overview
Baird’s beaked whale, Berardius bairdii, is the largest beaked whale species in the world, native to deep ocean waters across the North Pacific, including areas off Japan, Russia, and the western coast of North America. Its considerable size, tightly coordinated social groups, and unusual history as a target of commercial whaling in Japan make it one of the more physically imposing and historically significant beaked whales found in the North Pacific.
The giant among beaked whales
While most beaked whale species remain relatively obscure and rarely studied, Baird’s beaked whale has drawn more attention than most, both for its status as the largest member of the family and for its unusual history of sustained commercial hunting.
Status
Least Concern but decreasing in parts of its range, present across suitable deep ocean habitat throughout the North Pacific, with pressures from continued limited hunting and fishing gear bycatch.
Baird's Beaked Whale: common questions
How big is Baird's beaked whale compared to other beaked whales?
This species is the largest of all beaked whale species, noticeably bigger than most other members of the beaked whale family found across the world's oceans, making it an easy standout when comparing sizes within this diverse group of deep-diving whales.
Why has Baird's beaked whale been commercially hunted?
This species has historically been targeted by a small, specific commercial whaling industry in Japan, making it one of the few beaked whale species to be hunted at any significant commercial scale, unlike most other beaked whales, which have largely avoided sustained commercial whaling pressure.
Does Baird's beaked whale travel alone or in groups?
This species typically travels in tight, cohesive social groups, often surfacing and diving together in a coordinated manner, a social pattern that suggests strong bonds among group members rather than a solitary lifestyle.
Where does Baird's beaked whale live?
This species is native to deep ocean waters across the North Pacific, including areas off Japan, Russia, and the western coast of North America, generally remaining in deep water far from shore over its entire range.