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How does skim feeding work in right whales and bowhead whales?

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Illustration showing various cetaceans, including baleen whales like the blue whale, fin whale, humpback whale, gray whale, sei whale, northern right whale, and bowhead whale, as well as toothed whales such as the sperm whale, narwhal, beluga, Baird's beaked whale, killer whale, dolphins, and porpoises. Each species is labeled with its scientific name and typical or maximum length, with a size scale in the corner for reference. — cetacean Whales (order Cetacea).

Skim feeding is a specialized method used by non-rorqual baleen whales, including right whales and bowhead whales, to capture small prey.1

Unlike gulp feeding, which involves taking in a massive, singular mouthful of water and prey, skim feeding is a continuous process. To perform this, the whale locates a concentration of zooplankton and swims through the area with its mouth held open. As the whale moves, water flows through its baleen plates, which act as a filter to trap the tiny organisms while allowing the water to exit. This skimming action can last for several minutes before the whale closes its mouth to swallow the accumulated prey.123