Work

Inter- and intra-annual variation in the frequency of blue whale songs in Aotearoa New Zealand

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Blue whales produce stereotyped songs that are declining in fundamental frequency worldwide. We examine inter- and intra-annual frequency variation in the New Zealand population, which can be monitored year-round in the South Taranaki Bight. We document a decline of 0.13 Hz/yr between 1964 and 2025, and 0.08 Hz/yr between 2016 and 2025. Furthermore, we demonstrate higher fundamental frequencies from February to June, and a significant positive relationship between fundamental frequency and the song intensity index. These results indicate that blue whales sing at higher fundamental frequencies during the putative breeding season. Future work should aim to resolve relationships between song and morphological, demographic, behavioral, and cultural factors.

Source: JASA Express Letters

DOI: 10.1121/10.0041948

Authors: Dawn R. Barlow, Holger Klinck, Leigh G. Torres

Institutions: Oregon State University, Cornell University

Language: English

Topic: Marine animal studies overview

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Aotearoa Foundation, Directorate for Biological Sciences