In a fascinating display of behavior, orcas off the coast of Puget Sound, Washington, have been observed wearing dead salmon on their heads. This quirky act, reminiscent of a similar phenomenon from the late 1980s, has left researchers puzzled.
In 1987, a pod of orcas was seen sporting salmon hats for several weeks, starting with a single female whale before the trend spread to others in the group. However, this peculiar behavior faded by 1988.
Recently, in the fall of 2024, a 32-year-old male orca known as J27 Blackberry was photographed with a dead salmon on his head. While the exact reason for this behavior remains unclear, researcher Deborah Giles suggests it may be linked to food availability in the area.
Giles noted that the bay where J27 was spotted had an active salmon run, and orcas are known for their intelligence and resourcefulness regarding food. The salmon on their heads might serve as a convenient snack, akin to a hiker carrying a trail mix.
Interestingly, 2024 has seen an increase in salmon numbers in the region, leading to speculation that the orcas might be engaging in this behavior for fun. Similar playful acts, such as 'kelping'—where small whales like humpbacks balance seaweed on their heads—have been observed, suggesting a cultural aspect to these behaviors.
Despite the intriguing nature of this phenomenon, Giles admits, 'Honestly, we have no idea why this behavior has started again.' Future studies using drones are planned to further investigate this captivating behavior.