How Do You Spell BOWHEAD WHALE?

Pronunciation: [bˈə͡ʊhɛd wˈe͡ɪl] (IPA)

The Bowhead whale is a large baleen whale found in the Arctic Ocean. The spelling of "bowhead" is unusual as the "w" and "h" are not pronounced as separate sounds, but rather create a single sound represented by the IPA symbol /hw/. This is what's called a voiceless labialized velar approximant, meaning it's a sound that's made by rounding the lips and bringing the back of the tongue close to the soft palate. So, the correct phonetic transcription for "bowhead" is /ˈboʊˌhɛd/.

BOWHEAD WHALE Meaning and Definition

1. The bowhead whale, scientifically known as Balaena mysticetus, is a large marine mammal belonging to the family Balaenidae. It is a species of baleen whale that is recognized for its unique physical characteristics and behavior.

   The bowhead whale is one of the largest mammals on Earth, measuring up to 60 feet in length and weighing around 75 tons. It is characterized by a robust body with a large head and massive lower jaw, which houses hundreds of baleen plates used for filter feeding. The whale's upper jaw is curved upwards, giving it the distinctive bow-shaped appearance from which its common name is derived.

   This species is known for its incredible longevity, with some individuals living to be over 200 years old. It primarily inhabits the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, where it migrates seasonally to find food and mates. Bowhead whales feed on plankton and invertebrates, straining their prey from the water using their baleen plates.

   These whales have a slow reproductive rate, as females usually give birth to a single calf every three to four years. They are highly vocal and communicate through a variety of sounds, including songs, clicks, and moans. The bowhead whale holds cultural significance for indigenous communities, who have relied on its resources for millennia.

   Due to extensive commercial whaling in the past, the bowhead whale faced a significant decline in population. However, conservation efforts and protective measures have since led to its recovery, with the species currently considered as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Common Misspellings for BOWHEAD WHALE

• vowhead whale
• nowhead whale
• howhead whale
• gowhead whale
• biwhead whale
• bkwhead whale
• blwhead whale
• bpwhead whale
• b0whead whale
• b9whead whale
• boqhead whale
• boahead whale
• boshead whale
• boehead whale
• bo3head whale
• bo2head whale
• bowgead whale
• bowbead whale

Etymology of BOWHEAD WHALE

The word "bowhead" is derived from the distinctive shape of the whale's large, bow-shaped head. It got its name in English because of the pronounced curve or arch of the upper jaw, which gives it this characteristic appearance. The word "whale" itself comes from Old English "hweol", which means "wheel" or "spouting". This refers to the water vapor that is expelled from the blowhole of the whale when it surfaces to breathe.

Plural form of BOWHEAD WHALE is BOWHEAD WHALES