There's something fishy about a recent sighting of an orca in a salmon ‘hat'

Orcas and Their Peculiar ‘Salmon Hats’ #

In 1987, a group of killer whales off the northwestern coast of North America undertook a unique behavior: they carried dead fish on their heads, earning them the nickname of salmon ‘hats.’ Recently, a male orca known as J27, or ‘Blackberry,’ was seen in Washington’s Puget Sound sporting a salmon on his head. This sighting ignited speculation about the return of the trend.

These killer whales frequent Puget Sound annually, providing ample opportunities for camera capture and observation. If the salmon-wearing behavior was indeed returning, it would likely be well-documented.

Photographer Jim Pasola captured a striking image of J27 on October 25. The photo, highlighting J27 with a salmon on his head, shows a subcommunity known as J Pod actively hunting salmon in Puget Sound.

Approximately ten days later, another orca was briefly observed with a salmon on its head near a group of scientists collecting data. Although the orca’s identity could not be confirmed, the spectacle of a ‘fish-on-head’ was unmistakable.

For some, this stirred memories of 1987, when Southern Resident orcas flaunted fish on their heads. Southern Resident orcas comprise three tightly-knit pods: J, K, and L pods. Unlike other killer whales, these orcas primarily subsist on salmon.

In 1987, a female from K pod initiated the salmon-wearing behavior, soon followed by others. The practice spread, lasting several weeks before fading away. A similar occurrence was noted during a 2019 survey.

The behavior of salmon-wearing could simply be playfulness. “For that extended period, they had a lot to eat. It was a kind of a celebration,” it suggested a reaction to the abundance of salmon. Alternatively, the act could have practical purposes, such as facilitating food sharing among podmates.

Cooperative hunting and food sharing are common behaviors among these orcas, reinforcing social bonds. Wearing salmon temporarily might serve as a bonding gesture within the group. The strong social connections among Southern Resident orcas could explain the popularity of this behavior in 1987. “When one of them throws a fish on its head, that’s a social event.”