Maximum length 13-15.5 m; weight 26-30 t.
A large-sized whale with 3 prominent ridges on the head from blowholes
to snout, one medial and one on each side of it. Body overall dark grey.
Baleen slaty grey with coarse dark bristles. Only 40-50 ventral grooves
extending beyond or at least to navel. Dorsal fin extremely falcate and
often pointed apically, located at a point one-thirds of the body length.
Flippers long, rectangular and pointed at tips. Tail flukes broad, with
straight trailing edge and slight median notch. Females larger than males.