Not every day do orcas make headlines, but this fall, they captured the attention of marine enthusiasts and researchers alike with some playful behavior off the coast of Washington State. A killer whale, known as J27, or "Blackberry" to many, surprised observers when it was spotted balancing a whole salmon on its head. The sighting occurred near Point No Point, close to the northern tip of Washington's Kitsap Peninsula and marked one of the few times this curious behavior has been documented in recent years.
Historically, orcas have been seen performing this quirky act; sightings date back to the late 1980s when observers noted these whales adorned with fish. Deborah Giles, the science and research director of Wild Orca, noted this behavior seemed to fade over the years and wasn’t prominently seen until recently. “It’s something seemingly popped up out of nowhere in the 80s,” she said. Just like fashion trends, the salmon-hat phenomenon appeared to vanish, leaving many to wonder what prompts such behavior.
During this recent sighting, Giles herself claimed she saw the same behavior when she was conducting research on the local orcas. “What I saw was the head of the whale and fish on the head,” she recounted, unable to identify if it was J27 or another member of the pod. But she did confirm this was not her first observation of such antics – she remembers witnessing it several times since 2005.
The question on everyone's mind: Why would these magnificent creatures balance fish on their heads? While no definitive answer has emerged, Giles speculates it could be tied to social behavior, food sharing, or simply playful interaction with their environment. During this time of year, chum salmon runs surge through Puget Sound, giving the orcas plenty of opportunities to eat, socialize, and exhibit unique behavior.
Giles described how well-fed orcas might indulge themselves or engage more playfully with their surroundings. “If they’re starving, they’re just going to eat it,” she explains. “When there’s more food, they have the chance to interact with things.” Essentially, this behavior isn’t just fun—it offers insights about their wellbeing and the health of the ecosystem they inhabit.
Yet, as amusing as this might appear, there’s also the sobering reality of the southern resident killer whales' status. They are critically endangered, facing multiple threats including dwindling food supplies, environmental pollutants, and disturbances from human activity. The population has fluctuated over the decades, with recent estimates placing only 72 individuals alive today. Starting from the 1960s, similar to many other orca populations, these whales were heavily impacted by captures for marine parks, with their numbers dropping to just 71 by 1974.
Though the southern resident killer whales have been under various conservation efforts for decades, these initiatives have yet to change their declining population trend. Research published recently points to alarming facts: the population is on the brink of extinction, with especially troubling numbers for females, who are clearly suffering.
Giles pointed out how Washington State has invested significantly—hundreds of millions—into orca recovery initiatives, which include efforts to bolster salmon populations. Still, this isn't enough, and she firmly believes focuses need to shift. “What we really need to be focusing on is making sure there’s ample prey for these whales throughout their entire range and throughout the entire year.”
Howard Garrett, president of the Orca Network, mentioned the growing interest surrounding the salmon-hat behavior. He addressed some media chatter about whether this marked the revival of the older trend of orcas balancing salmon. While many eyes are glued to the waters of Puget Sound whenever the southern resident orcas visit, Garrett expressed skepticism about any evident trends. “If the salmon ‘wearing’ behavior was, in fact, making its comeback, there would be ample documentation of it,” he said.
Despite the enigmatic nature of these salmon hats, updates from the Orca Network and other advocacy organizations will keep the public informed about these remarkable whales. The southern resident pods—J, K, and L—continue to be monitored closely for their welfare and to investigate the curious behaviors exhibited by these magnificent creatures.
The salmon on the head phenomenon may just be another layer to the rich, complex life of the southern resident killer whales. It exemplifies the interconnection between food availability, social behavior, and the broader environmental challenges these creatures face—a unique thread woven deeply within the fabric of marine conservation efforts.