This was the first of the beaked whales to be discovered, after an individual was found stranded in Scotland, 1800. English artist John Sowerby described it four years later, hence its name.

Subspecies
None.

Life span
Unknown.

Statistics
Body length: 4-5m, Weight: 1-1.3 tonnes.

Physical description
Sowerby's beaked whales have a blue-grey upper surface, with a white belly. Some individuals have white/grey spots. They have a small dorsal fin and a long, slender beak. Males have protruding teeth midway down the beak.

Distribution
They inhabit the North Atlantic and Baltic, temperate seas

Diet
Sowerby's beaked whales feed on fish and squid.

Behaviour
They live alone or in small groups.

Conservation status
Sowerby's beaked whales are classified as Data Deficient by the 2000 Red List.

Notes
They are rarely seen, but are commonly stranded. They are one of the most northerly beaked whales.