Offshore Sea Life ID Guide: West Coast

by Steve N. G. Howell, Brian L. Sullivan

Overview

The first compact field guide to offshore sea life of the West Coast

Two-thirds of our planet lies out of sight of land, just offshore beyond the horizon. What wildlife might you find out there? And how might you identify what you see? This Offshore Sea Life ID Guide, designed for quick use on day trips off the West Coast, helps you put a name to what you see, from whales and dolphins to albatrosses, turtles, and even flyingfish. Carefully crafted color plates show species as they typically appear at sea, and expert text highlights identification features. This user-friendly field guide is essential for anyone going out on a whale-watching or birding trip, and provides a handy gateway to the wonders of the ocean.

• First state-of-the-art pocket guide to offshore sea life
• Over 300 photos used to create composite plates
• Includes whales, dolphins, sea lions, birds, sharks, turtles, flyingfish, and more
• Accessible and informative text reveals what to look for
• Great for beginners and experts alike

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691166131
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	06/16/2015
Series:	Princeton Field Guides , #99
Pages:	56
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Steve N. G. Howell is an international bird tour leader with WINGS and a research associate at the California Academy of Sciences. His other books include Petrels, Albatrosses, and Storm-Petrels of North America and The Amazing World of Flyingfish (both Princeton). Brian L. Sullivan is eBird project leader and photographic editor for Birds of North America Online at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and a coauthor of The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors (Princeton).

Read an Excerpt

Offshore Sea Life ID Guide West Coast

---

By STEVE N. G. HOWELL, Brian L. Sullivan

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

Copyright © 2015 Steve N. G. Howell, Brian L. Sullivan
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-691-16613-1

---

CHAPTER 1

Marine Mammals

Unlike seabirds, marine mammals spend most of their time underwater, coming to the surface to breathe, and rarely do you see the whole animal. Views can be brief, and we provide the clues needed to identify species based on what you are likely to see—a fin, a blow, a head looking around.

As with 'seabirds,' some 'marine' mammals live along the coast, such as Harbor Seals and Sea Otters. We do not treat these species because they are not really offshore creatures; they can be seen more easily from land. Other marine mammals can be seen from shore on occasion, such as Gray Whales on their annual migrations, although to see them up close you'll still want to go out on a boat.

Things to look for when identifying whales and dolphins are group size, general behavior, dorsal fin size and shape, any patterns or markings, and, for the larger whales, shape and size of the blow and how soon the dorsal fin appears relative to when you see the blow. For sea lions and fur seals (collectively known as pinnipeds) note behavior, head shape (especially in profile), overall coloration, and prominence of ears and whiskers.

Killer Whale and Whales: Very large swimming creatures 12
Dolphins and Porpoises: Smaller and faster swimming creatures,
often in groups 18
Sea Lions, Fur Seals, and Elephant Seal: Like dogs or giant sausages that
got lost at sea 22
Rarer Marine Mammals 24

Killer Whale (Orca) (KIWH)

Striking and sought-after, this large dolphin (not a true whale) can be found year-round, most reliably in 'inland' waters of WA (Puget Sound and San Juan Islands). Uncommon offshore, mainly spring and fall. Unmistakable if seen well, but at a distance cf. Risso's Dolphin (p. 18). Blow puffy, usually not conspicuous. Often first detected when fin of adult male towers out of the water. Females and younger males have smaller fins. Seen singly or in small groups, often moving quickly; can be difficult to keep track of. On occasion can be seen hunfing seals or whales, puffing on a spectacular if bloody show.

Humpback Whale (HUWH)

The staple of many whale-watching businesses. Occurs mainly Apr–Oct, especially fall, but can be seen in any month. Well known for ach've displays at the surface, including tail-slapping, breaching (see front cover), and lunge feeding. Often seen simply blowing, swimming, and diving (arching its back high but not fluking). With luck, can be seen fluking before deeper dives. Blow bushy but fairly high, can be mistaken for Blue Whale blow on calm days. Dorsal fin distinctive but variable, lumpy and fairly low; very long narrow flippers mostly white. Underside of flukes variable; many individuals can be identified by tail pattern.

Blue Whale (BLWH)

Largest mammal known to have existed on our planet. Fairly common locally off CA, mainly summer–fall, rare elsewhere. Singly or in small groups, at times of 20+ animals associating with other whales at rich feeding areas, especially with HUWH off cen. CA, with FIWH off s. CA. At times quite close to shore. Blow very tall and straight (or bushy but strong before breaking surface). Massive and broad-bodied but has surprisingly small, nub-like dorsal fin (individually variable) that appears well after the blow and after a long stretch of broad, smooth back slides by. Pale gray ('blue') coloration often striking. Flukes fairly often, but rarely breaches.

Gray Whale (GRWH)

Common migrant, heading s. to Mexico in Oct–Dec, n. to Alaska in Mar–May; small numbers occur at other seasons, mainly summer–fall; a few give birth off s. CA, as around the Channel Islands. Often close to shore and regularly seen from land, at times in loose groups. Puffy blow often inconspicuous. Gray overall, usually with variable pale markings; head often encrusted with whitish barnacles. Lacks dorsal fin, but 'knuckled' tail stock distinctive. Sometimes breaches, and shows flukes when diving deeper; more often simply swims fairly low in the water and rolls gently before diving.

Fin Whale (FIWH)

Fairly common off s. CA (mainly summer–fall, but present year-round), rarely seen northward, usually well offshore; singly or in small groups. Very large and often fast swimming, with sloping dorsal fin typically wider at base than tall, slightly falcate (individually quite variable; cf. much smaller MIWH). Tall straight blow averages lower than BLWH blow. Fin appears after blow and after a stretch of back rolls by. Dark slaty gray above; often looks blackish, but can appear paler when reflecting bright light. Sides of lower jaw differ in color: left side blackish, right side white. Rarely flukes or breaches.

Northern Minke Whale (MIWH)

The Minke (pronounced 'minky') is perhaps fairly common off the West Coast, but is inconspicuous and thus seen infrequently. Present year-round, inshore to offshore, usually singly. Fairly small and fast swimming; resembles a mini FIWH, but dorsal fin typically taller than wide, often more falcate. Blow low and bushy, usually not striking; fin appears simultaneously with blow, not after a length of back has appeared (as in FIWH). Short flippers have contrasting whitish band (difficult to see). Often rolls fairly high but rarely flukes, and after a few blows tends to disappear. Infrequent breaches can be clear out of the water.

Dolphins and Porpoises

Risso's Dolphin (RIDO)

Uncommon to fairly common off CA, this large dolphin is usually seen in small to moderately large groups, occasionally mixing with other species; infrequently seen off OR and WA. Rarely bow-rides, and often indifferent to boats; can move fast and sometimes breaches. Does not usually porpoise clear of the water. Note prominent, tall dorsal fin, blunt head, fairly large size. Dorsal fin shape highly variable (cf. female Killer Whale, p. 13; Bottlenose Dolphin). Coloration also variable, from milky whitish to dark gray; adults often extensively scratched.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin (BODO)

Stereotypical, playful dolphin of aquariums and feel-good movies. Uncommon to fairly common in warmer inshore waters of s. CA, n. locally to cen. CA. Often seen from shore cruising just beyond the breakers, where it can be mistaken for a large shark but usually in small groups. Offshore populations, living beyond the continental shelf, also occur off s. CA. Fairly large with prominent, falcate dorsal fin (cf. Risso's Dolphin), stubby beak (often with white-tipped lower jaw), and rather plain, dark gray coloration. At times acrobatic, leaping high and tail-slapping, and often bow-rides; at other times simply swims by, indifferent to boats.

Common Dolphins (CODO)

Common off s. CA, ranging n. in small numbers to cen. CA (mainly fall–winter in warmer water years). Off s. CA, often in large, fast-moving, and acrobatic groups (at times in 1000s), splashing the surface into a white frenzy. Handsome side pattern easily seen as animals leap and bow-ride. Dorsal fin smaller, darker, and less falcate than Pacific White-sided Dolphin (p. 21). Scientists have recognized 2 species of 'Common Dolphin' since the mid-1990s: Short-beaked and Long-beaked, which can be difficult to distinguish at sea, although they rarely if ever mix. Long-beaked occurs in warmer, shallower waters over the shelf, Short-beaked occurs in deeper offshore waters.

Within a school of Common Dolphins it is usually possible to see (or photograph) at least a few animals showing features that support species identification. Both species variable, but Short-beaked has a shorter beak (overlaps with some Long-beaked), steeper forehead, 'cuter' facial expression, and more strongly contrasting creamy side patches that lack a narrow dark line along the lower edge, as shown by many Long-beaked. When in doubt, best to identify simply as 'Common Dolphin sp.' (sp. = species unknown).

Dolphins and Porpoises

Northern Right-whale Dolphin (NRDO)

Fairly common and distinctive. Mainly in cooler waters off cen. CA (s. to n. Channel Islands), ranging to s. CA in winter, n. to OR and WA mainly in summer. Looks like a sleek black sausage; most often confused with porpoising sea lions. Usually in small to fairly large groups (at times 100s), mixing readily with Pacific White-sided Dolphins; the 2 species often bow-ride together. White 'tuxedo' belly pattern rarely seen unless animal breaches; occasional individuals have white extending up to lower sides of body and are more obviously bicolored.

Pacific White-sided Dolphin (PWDO)

Common and distinctive; favors cooler waters, often at the shelf-break or where different water masses meet. Usually in groups, from 5–20 individuals to 100s. Mixes readily with Northern Right-whale Dolphins, and the 2 species often bow-ride together. Note falcate, two-tone dorsal fin, short blunt beak; striking 'white-sided' pattern best seen when animals jump. Acrobatic and often leaps from water, at times spinning and flipping head over tail; at other times elusive and indifferent to boats.

Dall's Porpoise (DAPO)

Fairly common, mainly in cooler shelf and offshore waters. Often detected by distinctive 'rooster tail' of spray as dorsal fin slashes surface. Small, stocky, and fast, usually in small groups, not mixing with other species. Often bow-rides but does not leap (frustratingly difficult to photograph); sometimes rolls slowly at the surface. Striking black-and-white pattern distinctive but variable. In Pacific Northwest, rare hybrids with Harbor Porpoise show intermediate features.

Harbor Porpoise (HAPO)

Fairly common but inconspicuous small porpoise of cooler inshore waters and tidal rips from cen. CA northward, at times s. to Point Conception. Found singly or in small groups. Often seen from shore, rolling just beyond the breakers; unlikely to be seen far offshore. 'Hershey's Kiss' dorsal fin lacks white tip of Dall's Porpoise fin. Usually surfaces 2-3 times before disappearing, but at times can swim quickly and create splashes. Usually indifferent to boats and rarely bow-rides.

Sea Lions, Fur Seals, and Elephant Seal

California Sea Lion (CASL)

Noisy and familiar along and off coast of CA, ranges n. to WA (mainly fall–winter). Occasionally in large groups, especially in fall. Note dog-like head shape with pointed snout; adult male has distinct forehead bump. Sometimes 'jug-handles' like NOFS, but flippers and whiskers shorter; note nose shape. Fast-moving animals leap in porpoising mode like dolphins.

Steller's (Northern)Sea Lion (STSL)

Fairly common off WA, becoming uncommon off cen. CA, rare off s. CA. Large and heavyset, more massive than CASL, with bigger, bear-like head and blunter nose; adults paler, more golden in color than most CASL. Low growling calls distinct from dog-like barks of CASL. Aggressive; often scavenges at fishing boats. Population declining for reasons that remain poorly understood.

Northern Fur Seal (NOFS)

Uncommon, but seen regularly throughout the region, especially in fall–winter. Usually singles or 2s and 3s well offshore. Note very long whiskers and flippers, disfincfive snub-nosed profile, more 'innocent' expression than CASL. Often rests in 'jug-handling' position. Breeds mainly on islands in the Bering Sea, but with 2 smaller West Coast colonies on California's Farallon and Channel Islands.

Guadalupe Fur Seal (GUFS)

Uncommon visitor off s. CA, mainly in spring–fall from breeding grounds on Guadalupe Island, Mexico; very rarely n. in fall to n. CA. Looks more like CASL than NOFS, but has narrower, more pointed snout than CASL and more prominent, 'elf-like' ears. Considered extinct in 1900 (hunted for the fur trade) but rediscovered in 1950s at Guadalupe; increasing with protection, and has bred in recent years on California Channel Islands.

Northern Elephant Seal (NESE)

Best known on land, where breeding groups gather locally at beaches in Dec–Mar. Occurs year-round throughout region, but found infrequently at sea, usually single animals well offshore. At a distance looks like a deadhead log riding high in the water; usually sinks before close approach.

Rarer Marine Mammals

Sperm Whale (SPWH)

Seen occasionally, mainly spring and fall in deep water well offshore; singly (mainly males) or in loose groups (mainly females and young). Bushy blow angled forward, not vertical. Dorsal fin low and bluntly triangular; massive head apparent at closer range; rear of body wrinkled. Rests at the surface (looks like a giant turd), blowing frequently before sounding for a deep dive, when usually shows its broad, triangular flukes. Feeds on squid in deep water, and dives can be as long as 1–2 hours!

Short-finned Pilot Whale (SFPW)

Found in deep water off s. CA, exceptional elsewhere. Obviously larger than typical dolphins, smaller than true whales. Usually in groups of 10–50, often logging at the surface; rarely breaches or shows flukes. Blackish overall, with blunt head; dorsal fin low and wide-based, lobed at tip on adult male. Occasionally curious around boats, but often indifferent and can swim away fairly quickly. Feeding dives usually 10–20 minutes. 'Short' refers to the pectoral flippers (rarely visible), not the dorsal fin.

Baird's Beaked Whale (BABW)

Rarely seen, but most frequently encountered beaked whale on day trips off West Coast. Obviously larger than dolphins, smaller than typical whales. Usually in fairly tight groups of 3–30. Low bushy blows fairly synchronous as animals log at the surface before deep dives; usually down at least 10-30 minutes. At times flukes and breaches. Long-bodied, with long blunt beak; overall dark brown or gray, often marked with scratches. Dorsal fin variable, typically triangular.

Cuvier's Beaked Whale (CUBW)

Can be found off s. CA, mainly in deep water around Channel Islands and sea mounts; rare elsewhere in deep water offshore. Larger than dolphins, clearly smaller than typical whales. Singly or in groups of 2–5. Low bushy blow inconspicuous. Color varies from dark to pale; adults have whitish head, and adult male is marked with whitish scratches. Surfacing animals often show distinctive short 'goosebeak.' Rolls fairly high before diving, but does not fluke; rarely breaches. Dives usually 20–40 minutes, but can descend to almost 2 miles deep and stay down 2 hours!

Seabirds

True seabirds live mainly beyond sight of shore, and include the tubenoses such as albatrosses, shearwaters, and storm-petrels, and the alcids (diving birds including puffins, murres, and auklets). Many tubenoses are long-distance migrants that breed in the Southern Hemisphere, whereas West Coast alcids are shorter-distance migrants that breed in the North Pacific.

Albatrosses: Very large and long-winged, with big bills 26
Shearwaters and Fulmar: Like stiff-winged gulls with tubular nostrils,
often in flocks, glide easily 28
Storm-Petrels: Tiny birds, like bats or swallows; fly low over the sea 32
Phalaropes: Small sandpipers that swim, often in flocks 35
Alcids: Stocky, heavy-bodied diving birds like small ducks; flight low
and direct; do not glide 36
Tropicbird: Like a fancy large tern; southern CA only 40
Booby: Large and streamlined, dives from the air; CA only 40
Skua: Like a big brown gull, white wing patches 41
Jaegers: Gull-like predators with white wing patches 42
Gulls and Terns: Only small, ocean-going species are included;
other gulls and terns are best seen on shore 44
Rarer Seabirds: Including gadfly petrels 46

Black-footed Albatross (BFAL)

Common offshore spring–fall, uncommon in winter. Often follows boats and scavenges. Dark overall with white 'noseband,' dusky bill. Older adult has white tail coverts; some birds bleach to whitish on head and neck. Breeds Nov–Jun mainly in Hawaii.

Laysan Albatross (LAAL)

Uncommon offshore year-round; commoner off s. CA in spring, off n. CA to WA in fall–winter. Suggests a large, dark-backed gull but has dark tail, variable black underwing pattern. Immature has white face, adult has grayish cheeks. Breeds Nov–Jun in Hawaii and nw. Mexico.

Sooty Shearwater (SOSH)

Commonest dark-bodied shearwater off West Coast, locally in 1000s; can be seen from shore (see p. 8). Mainly Apr–Oct; a few in winter. Note silvery-white flash under wings. Breeds Nov–Apr in Chile and New Zealand.

Short-tailed Shearwater (STSH)

Uncommon, mainly late fall-winter. Very similar to Sooty Shear water but has smaller bill. Duller underwings lack strong contrast between whitish coverts and dark primaries; flight quicker, snappier. Breeds Nov–Apr in Australia.

Flesh-footed Shearwater (FFSH)

Uncommon, mainly fall. Like PFSH (p. 30) in size, shape, and flight manner but all-dark; note pink bill with black tip. Usually in 1s and 2s, often in rafts with other shearwaters. Breeds Nov–Apr in New Zealand.

Northern Fulmar (NOFU)

Mainly late fall–winter. Numbers vary year to year, often scarce s. of cen. CA. Will scavenge boldly, locally in 100s. Stockier than shearwaters, with bulbous head, stout pale bill. Plumage variable some have white head and body (p. 31).

Pink-footed Shearwater (PFSH)

Common spring–fall, small numbers in winter. Largest shearwater, with broader wings, more relaxed flight than SOSH. Note dark head sides, smudgy underwings; pink bill with black tip easier to see than pink feet. Breeds Nov–Apr in Chile.

Buller's Shearwater (BUSH)

Uncommon to fairly common in mid–late fall, very rare in spring–summer. Handsome, with patterned upperparts, clean dark cap. Flight usually buoyant and graceful, low to the water. Breeds Nov–Apr in New Zealand.

Northern Fulmar (NOFU)

See p. 29 for dark morph, commoner off West Coast than light morph. Plumage highly variable. Can suggest a gull but rump and tail pale gray, flies with wings held stiffly, bill stout and tube-nosed. Breeds May–Sep in Alaska.

(Continues...)

---

Excerpted from Offshore Sea Life ID Guide West Coast by STEVE N. G. HOWELL, Brian L. Sullivan. Copyright © 2015 Steve N. G. Howell, Brian L. Sullivan. Excerpted by permission of PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

Acknowledgments 11

Some Words Explained 11

Marine Mammals 12

Killer Whale (Orca) 12

Whales 14

Dolphins and Porpoises 18

Sea Lions, Fur Seals, and Elephant Seal 22

Rarer Marine Mammals 24

Seabirds 26

Albatrosses 26

Shearwaters and Fulmar 28

Storm-Petrels 32

Phalaropes 35

Alcids 36

Red-billed Tropicbird 40

Brown Booby 40

South Polar Skua 41

Jaegers 42

Gulls and Terns 44

Rarer Seabirds 46

Other Sea Life 50

Fish (sunfish, sharks, flyingfish) 50

Sea Turtles 52

Jellyfish, Krill, etc. 52

Kelp (seaweed) 54

Landbirds 54

Species Codes, Scientific Names, and Index 55

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Filled with concise information and accurate illustrations, this terrific field guide will be a handy, quick reference for the layperson and serious naturalist on boat trips off the West Coast of the United States. No other useful guides for this region deal with both marine mammals and seabirds in the same book."—Sophie Webb, coauthor of Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast

"Intended for beginner- and moderate-level naturalists as well as tourists on whale-watching and birding trips, this field guide presents a fresh, new format. Images are nicely formatted and the text is clear, light, and humorous while being informative and scientifically accurate."—Peter Pyle, author of Identification Guide to North American Birds

Editorial Reviews

"[I]f you sign up for a West Coast pelagic trip—and every serious birder should do that at least once—this book is a must. Howell has been a guide on most of my trips; he is excellent. Sullivan is one of the most active and respected bird photographers in North America."—-Jim Williams, Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"A wonderful pocket guide for folks going on their first pelagic trip to see some amazing wildlife of the west coast shores."—-Dave Lewis, Birds from Behind

"The Offshore Sea Life ID Guide: West Coast is a very nice introduction to what you might hope to see on a boat trip off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington."—-Frederic H. Brock, Wildlife Activist

From the Publisher