Observations of the daily routine of transients are much less frequent than those of resident Orcas. One primary reason their presence may easily be unnoticed is the specialized adaptations they have made to support their feeding behavior. Transients only feed on marine mammals and have developed specific skills to become such a successful predator.

Observed kills by transient Orcas involve mainly harbour seals. Attacks on sea lions, dall's and harbour porpoises, pacific white-sided dolphins and on very rare occasions baleen whales have also been observed. It is believed that certain transient groups have home ranges; areas known with seal haul outs. We have watched a group of transients in open water, taking very long dives up to 10 minutes, surfacing a few times, then another long dive. Their destination was the shoreline about 1 km from such a seal haul out. Underwater is complete silence, even the sound of their blow is softened as not to alert prey to their presence. Transients also use a tactic known as "passive sonar", that is, they listen for different sound cues made by their prey. Open water foraging will involve slightly different tactics. For instance, if the intended prey is a Dall's porpoise, the fastest swimming cetacean, they will have to work in close cooperation.

Attacks on sea lions are less frequent as they weigh up to 1,000 kilograms and can put up a strong defense with large canine teeth.

Since transients exist in a predator-prey relationship silence is an imperative tool. Perhaps it is for this reason that transients have developed a small repertoire of 4 to 6 calls compared to the 7-17 discrete calls used by residents. As well, the variation in calls used to identify different pods of residents is not present among transients. Every transient group shares at least 2 discrete calls and most has all calls in common. This may reflect the difference in their social structure to that of residents. Individuals in a transient matriline group may well leave this family structure and join other groups; therefore, the opportunity for group specific dialects to evolve from generation to generation is lost.

From the west coast of California to Alaska there appears to be at least 3 genetically distinct populations of Transients. One consists of possibly 7 individuals and is found within Prince William Sound. Unfortunately, this particular population has suffered greatly and their chances of survival are poor. The other is the West Coast Community and best described as 2 sub communities. One group along the west coast of California rarely travel into BC waters, but upon their arrival they will travel with local transients, therefore referred to as one community. This is further apparent as they share a number of underwater vocalizations. The other community is poorly known and referred to as the Gulf of Alaska Transients. All three of these communities are acoustically distinct from one another. Further research into the behavior and social organization of Transients are certainly needed to complete our understanding of the dynamics at play with this population of Orcas.