Meet the Sea’s Most Expressive Singer

Picture a whale that chirps like a bird and smiles back at you. That’s the beluga whale.

Nicknamed the “canary of the sea,” the beluga whale makes all kinds of sounds—whistles, clicks, chirps, and even bell-like tones. In the wild, a pod of belugas can sound more like a noisy kindergarten class than a group of whales.

But what really sets the beluga apart is its face. Most whales have stiff, unmoving expressions. Not the beluga. Thanks to its loose, flexible lips and soft melon-shaped head, it can appear to smile, frown, or raise its eyebrows like a cartoon character come to life.

These sounds and expressions aren’t just for show, they help belugas communicate in dark, icy waters where vision is limited. Think of it as FaceTime, but with chirps and cheeky grins.

Here’s another cool twist: belugas can even mimic human speech. One captive beluga once confused divers when it started “talking” in a voice that sounded eerily human underwater.

Oh, and belugas aren’t shy. They often approach boats, peek curiously at divers, and seem genuinely interested in meeting humans.