Roger Payne
Meet Roger
Roger Payne has studied the behavior of whales since 1967 and is best known for showing that the complex vocalizations humpback whales make are rhythmic repeated patterns and therefore are properly classified as songs. He has also showed that before propellor driven ships the loud, low frequency sounds of fin and blue whales were audible across entire oceans (a proposal since confirmed).
51 years ago Roger founded what is still the longest continuous study of baleen whales based on known individuals recognizable by their natural markings (it currently follows 3800 individual southern right whales).
Final Voyage
I am pleased to announce that I have achieved a long-time goal: I have cleared my decks of all executive and administrative obligations! As of yesterday, I resigned my presidency at Ocean Alliance and relinquished all of my responsibilities there.
I am excited about this next chapter, and although I am no longer associated with or work for Ocean Alliance, I wish my former colleagues there all the best. I look forward to continuing to share my work and passion with all of you.
The Man Who Seduced the World with Whale Songs
“It’s been more than 50 years since biologist Roger Payne brought whale song into the lives of millions via the popular album, Songs of the Humpback Whale. At the time, commercial whaling had decimated global whale populations, and Payne’s record helped spark the anti-whaling movement, the haunting songs of the humpbacks its unofficial anthem. In the late 1960s, Payne was a senior scientist at the Institute for Research in Animal Behavior, studying animal echolocation.”