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Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melaena)

Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melaena) are found in the waters off New York throughout the year. They, like sperm whales, live in matrifocal and matrilineal social groups.  Pilot whales can be found in groups of a few individuals to larger aggregations of hundreds. They feed usually on squid, but will take other prey. 

The most recent estimate of long-finned pilot whales in the western North Atlantic is 14524 individuals.

As in other social odontocetes, males are larger than females of the same age.  Mature males can be distinguished by their larger head and thicker dorsal fin.