Killer whales return to the controversial trend of wearing salmon hats
- Recent sightings of orcas with salmon hats have sparked interest in behavior reminiscent of 1987.
- Research indicates that such behaviors may serve social bonding and practical purposes within orca pods.
- The few recent sightings raise questions about whether this behavior is returning among the orcas.
Recently, in Washington's Puget Sound, a male orca known as J27, or 'Blackberry,' was captured in a photograph wearing a salmon on his head. This sighting has led many observers to wonder if a peculiar behavior seen in orcas during the late 1980s is making a comeback. In 1987, several Southern Resident orcas exhibited the same behavior, placing fish on their heads while swimming, seemingly proud of their playful antics. This behavior was observed during a time when salmon was abundant in their habitat. Howard Garrett, a former orca researcher, described J27's salmon hat as reminiscent of these past events, noting how the trend had surfaced amid the rich food supply in Puget Sound. Approximately ten days after J27's sighting, another report emerged of an unidentified orca also briefly flaunting a fish atop its head near a research team. Dr. Deborah Giles, a researcher aboard the boat at that time, observed a whale with a limp salmon draped over its head but was unable to identify it due to key distinguishing features being submerged. Such sightings provoke intrigue among researchers, though they emphasize that without numerous documented instances, it remains inconclusive whether orcas are re-adopting this unique behavior. Stephanie Raymond from the Orca Network pointed out the absence of additional images capturing this phenomenon, which would typically indicate a larger trend. The playful behavior of orcas carrying fish on their heads might have a dual purpose; not only could it be part of their social bonding rituals but it may also serve practicalities, such as saving the fish for later consumption or sharing it among podmates. The Southern Resident orcas are known for their complex social structures and behaviors, which might explain the salmon hat phenomenon as an expression of social interaction during times of abundant resources. As the whales hunt together in their community-oriented way, presenting a fish on one's head could signal a celebratory sharing of food or simply a playfully shared moment among family members. Such behaviors reinforce their social connections and highlight the rich, interactive lives these marine mammals lead in the Pacific Northwest.