Skip to main content

Kōrero: Whales

Humpback breaching

Audio file

Humpbacks are often seen leaping out of the water (breaching) and clowning around. They are also known for the complex and varied nature of their songs. Listen to a humpback whale singing. It is almost certainly a male – only males are known to sing. The crackling sounds are snapping shrimps.

Humpback whale recorded by Steve Dawson, Marine Science Department, University of Otago, 16 August 2003, Vava'u, Tonga.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust

by Steve Dawson

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Gerard Hutching, Whales – Humpback whale, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/natural-sounds/7089/humpback-breaching (accessed 24 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Gerard Hutching, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.