Humpback Whales Visit Our Coast

For the last week on the northern Outer Banks, when we see the birds hitting the water in a concentrated area, we know we will be treated to a whale sighting. Humpback whales have been observed just outside of the sandbar. They are migrating south for the winter and the birds follow the whales because that's where the fish are!

Humpback whales feed primarily on krill, which are small shrimp-like crustaceans. Humpbacks are a baleen whale, meaning that rather than having teeth, they have fringed plates with fine hairs on the end inside the mouth near the tongue. When they feed they will take in large amounts of water and food. The food is trapped to be swallowed and the water is expelled.

When the whales are observed, we will see them skimming the surface with the pectoral fin showing. We will observe them expelling air through the blowhole, and often see the fin propelling them forward. We have been so lucky to see these huge mammals so close to the beach!