Humpback Whales: Composers of the Sea [video]

Humpback whales are the maestros of the marine world. Their “songs” actually develop and change over time — an example of cultural evolution in a non-human species. Katy Payne and Ann Warde of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bioacoustics Research Program have teamed up for this audio-visual presentation during which they will introduce the audience to whales, the sounds they make, and the concept of deep listening.

The talk took place on May 19, 2014. It was part of the Cornell Lab’s long-running Monday Night Seminar series, a tradition established decades ago by Lab founder Dr. Arthur Allen. If you enjoyed this seminar, check this page for our list of future speakers—we’ll note which upcoming talks will be livestreamed—or come visit us in person! If you missed any talks, please see our index of archived livestreamed seminars.