White-beaked Dolphin
(Lagenorhynchus Albirostris)

Blettahnýðingur, Weißschnauzendelfin, Dauphin á bec blanc, Delfín De Pico Blanco, Hvidnæse, Kvitnos

The white-beaked dolphin is the most common dolphin found in the surrounding waters of Iceland and is seen not only in the summer but winter too usually in larger numbers, hundreds sometimes. When feeding they show energetic behaviour such as breaching out of the water and coming down with a big splash and bursts of fast swimming. They also like to ride in the pressure waves made by the boats and look up at passengers as they look down. It is also nice when we get to see them with their young. They are only found in the North Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and Barents Sea so Iceland is one few places where you can see this charismatic species.

Not regular visitor of the fjord but in the last years has been becoming more and more common. We’ve been frequently seeing them this summer (2021) both in winter and summer months.

Length: 2.5-3 meters

Weight: 180-350 kg

Life expectancy: 25 years

Est. population around Iceland: 10,000- 12,000

Social behaviour: Very social, usual group size is between 3-20 can be found in their hundreds if not thousands

Diet: Fish, squid, crustaceans

Suborder: Odontoceti – Toothed Whale

Family: Delphinidae

IUCN Listing: Least Concern

Major Threats: Climate change, chemical pollution, human disturbance, bycatch, vessel collisions.

Other Names: Blettahnýðingur, Weißschnauzendelfin, Dauphin á bec blanc, Delfín De Pico Blanco, Hvidnæse, Kvitnos