领航鲸是圆头鲸属下的两个物种，即长肢领航鲸及短肢领航鲸。虽然牠们的行为很像鲸鱼，但却是属于海豚科的。

领航鲸呈黑色或非常深的灰色。背鳍位于背部较前位置，并向后弯。初生的领航鲸背鳍非常柔软，以方便生殖。牠们的身体粗壮，并向尾巴收窄。

雌性的体型比雄性的薄。长肢领航鲸及短肢领航鲸的分别很少，在重叠的分布地一般很难在海中分辨。牠们的分别在于腹鳍的长度、牙齿的数目及头颅骨的形状。短肢领航鲸的头较圆，而长肢领航鲸的头则较方。

出生时的领航鲸体重约为100公斤。成年雄鲸可以长达6.1米及重3吨。成年雌鲸则长4.9米及重1.5吨。雄鲸寿命约为45岁，而雌鲸的则为60岁。

Pilot whales are cetaceans belonging to the genus Globicephala. The two extant species are the long-finned pilot whale (G. melas) and the short-finned pilot whale (G. macrorhynchus). The two are not readily distinguished at sea, and analysis of the skulls is the best way to tell the difference between them. Between the two species, pilot whales range in waters nearly worldwide, with long-finned pilot whales living in cold waters and short-finned pilot whales living in tropical and subtropical waters. Pilot whales are among the largest of the oceanic dolphins, exceeded in size only by the killer whale. They and other large members of the dolphin family are also known as blackfish.