Common dolphin
Deilf choiteann - Delphinus delphis
How to identify
Probably one of the easiest dolphins to identify, common dolphins have a slender, streamlined body shape with a narrow beak. With a dark-grey back and pale underside, the sides of the animals are coloured in a distinct ‘hourglass’ pattern, which is yellow/pale orange towards the head and grey towards the tail. Adults reach a body length of only 1.50 to 2.70m.
Breaching common dolphin – note the hourglass pattern as ID feature.
Ecology, social dynamics and seasonality
As their name indicates, common dolphins are the most abundant cetacean species in the world and can be found in tropical and warm-temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Along the Irish coast they can be seen all year round, peaking in late summer.
They are very social animals, frequently occurring in groups (pods), which can range from just two to hundreds of animals (so called superpods). Superpods often build in areas where there are lots of prey to eat. In Irish waters they feed on pelagic (offshore) fish, such as herring and horse mackerel, but also lantern fish and squid. During encounters, they often leap out of the water and often approach boats to ride in their wakes.
Common dolphins in Kenmare Bay – with Skellig Tours, by Christina Winkler
Common dolphins along the Iveragh coast
Headlands such as Bray Head on Valentia Island or Canglass Point, but also lower viewing points, such as St. Finan’s Bay are great spots to watch out for common dolphins. In Kenmare Bay, Derrynane Bay and around the Skellig Islands they have been seen from boats as well (e.g. with Skellig Tours and Skellig Coast Discovery). However, in the last decade there has been an increase of strandings. This is where dolphins wash ashore dead or alive. Strandings have been recorded on beaches in Waterville, Ballingskelligs, Cahersiveen and Kenmare.
