The Sound of False Killer Whales (Hunting) - in São Miguel, Azores

Being in the right place at the right moment means almost everything when it comes to witnessing natural events. Azores Islands are indeed one the rightest places to be if you wish to observe whales and dolphins and their behavior, and this video captured by Terra Azul crew proves it once again!

Terra Azul guests and crew were just a few miles offshore Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island, when they encountered a pod of about hundred False Killer Whales (Pseudorca crassidens). Suddenly, part of the group dove and we could see large chunks of fish intestine emerging from the depths. When the whales surfaced again, their excitement became evident as they started feeding off the large swordfish that they just killed. What an impressive view!

False Killer Whales (Pseudorca crassidens) are top oceanic predators known for attacking large pelagic fish such as sharks, tunas, dolphin fish and marlins. Similarly to the closely related Killer Whales (Orcinus orca), they share the spoil of their preys between the individuals of the pod, a behavior that is quite unique among cetaceans but is well documented in many carnivorous mammal species.