A rare beaked whale washed up on Redhead Beach near Newcastle

A RARE whale not often seen in its natural habitat has washed up on a beach near Newcastle this morning.

Rare beaked whale washes up on beach

A RARE whale not often seen in its natural habitat has washed up on a beach near Newcastle this morning.

The beaked whale, which looks like a cross between a whale and a dolphin, was found on Redhead Beach and is thought to have died at sea.

These deep sea animals are mainly known from wash-ups and strandings, and not that commonly seen at sea. Picture: Facebook / ORRCA Inc

While its death is sad this whale could provide scientists with a lot more knowledge of the rare whales. Picture: Facebook / ORRCA Inc

Given their tendency to swim at great depths, little is known of the beaked whale and the find will provide researchers an opportunity to study the creature further.

Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) volunteers inspected the beached whale and National Parks and Wildlife Service researchers are expected to take over.