White Beaked Dolphin

What is it: 

The white-beaked dolphin is a sturdy, robust-bodied animal that can reach 3.1 metres in length and weigh up to 350 kg when fully grown. The dark grey dorsal fin is tall and falcate (curved) and the beak is short and often entirely white. Colouration is a mix of dark grey back, tail and pectoral fins, with greyish-white flashes along the flanks and a pale grey patch behind the dorsal fin (known as the saddle-patch). The tail stock is quite thick.

Abundant in all Scottish waters but concentrated around the Hebrides and Northern Isles.

There are two groups of layers included on NMPi:

  1. Statistical approaches to aid identification of Marine Protected Areas for White-beaked dolphin. Based on SNH Commissioned Report No. 594, these include
    •  Observer adjusted densities of White-beaked dolphin; and
    • Modelled persistence of above mean density of White-beaked dolphin (summers 1994-2012).
  2. White-beaked dolphin effort related sightings displays
    • ​Annual Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust Effort Related Sightings Data (2003-2011)
    • Annual and monthly distribution and relative abundance (1979-1997)
This information page is part of the theme: 

Links and Resources

Map Typesort ascending Click title for metadata and licence information Date of data View Map
Map Layers (NMPi) Annual distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 - 1997) Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) September - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Observed adjusted densities of White-beaked dolphin (all seasons 1994 - 2012) (mapped as graduated symbols) 1994-01-01 to 2012-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) February - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Observed adjusted densities of White-beaked dolphin (all seasons 1994 - 2012) 1994-01-01 to 2012-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Modelled persistence of above mean density of White-beaked dolphin (summers 1994 - 2012) 1994-01-01 to 2012-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) December - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) April - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) June - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) October - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) July - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) January - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) May - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Annual Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust Effort Related Sightings data for White-beaked dolphin (2003 - 2001) 2003-01-01 to 2011-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) March - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) November - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) August - Monthly distribution and relative abundance of White-beaked dolphin (1979 -1997) 1979-01-01 to 1997-12-31 Access this map on NMPi