Bigg’s Orca Whales are also known as Transients, and are named after the famed Orca researcher Michael Bigg. Current estimates put around 400 whales in the Pacific Northwest ranging from Alaska to Northern California. Bigg’s Orcas do not interbreed with Resident Orcas at all and are genetically distinct from other Orca species. Unlike Residents who are known for their close knit pods the social structures of Bigg’s are instead known to travel with either their maternal line or in friendship groups when whales split from their mothers. Another way these two whale types differ from their Resident look-a-likes is in their diets while Residents prefer Salmon, Bigg’s Orca Whales prefer marine mammals. Their diet makes them the apex predator of the Pacific North West taking down anything from Harbor Seals to weakened Humpback Whales and Great White Sharks.
Identification Guide: https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.873109/publication.html
Naming Resource: Bigg’s Killer Whale Nicknames
Personal Biggs Encounters - 36