With the longest pectoral flippers of any cetacean, humpbacks have great maneuverability and are capable of launching themselves completely out of the water. They have become more common off the OC Coast, more so in summer months although they sometimes show up in winter months as well. Unlike gray whales which strictly migrate by here, humpback whales show up searching for anchovies to feed on so they can be seen randomly traveling in any direction or hanging around feeding. Individual humpback whales can be identified by their fluke (tail) which is as unique as a human fingerprint, each one has a different pattern. Some characteristics of this species is being friendly towards boats and not being shy which makes them a favorite whale to watch along with their ability to be very active on the surface. A type of baleen whale, humpbacks feed on a variety of marine life around the world but are typically found feeding on anchovies of California. The humpbacks seen off Orange County might go as far south as Costa Rica and as far north as Washington although most will travel down to Mexico for the winter and up to Monterey Bay for the summer, with some sticking around Southern California all summer if food is abundant.