Offshore whales seem to travel in larger groups of 30 to 60 individuals and are seldom seen in coastal waters. Researchers have noted several differences between resident and transient whales. The size of a resident pod varies from as few as 5 to as many as 50 individuals. Transient whales often travel alone, or in groups of two to seven individuals. Resident pods tend to travel within specific ranges while transient groups' ranges are unpredictable.
Residents travel direct routes, moving generally from headland to headland along the coast.
Transients may spend twice as much time traveling as their movements tend to be circuitous, often following the contours of the shoreline. Residents and transients also differ in their diets. Toothed whales do not possess vocal cords in the larynx. Sounds are probably produced by movements of air between nasal sacs in the blowhole region. During some vocalizations, killer whales release air from the blowhole, but scientists believe that these bubble trails and clouds are a visual display.