GREY-HEADED FLYING FOX (Pteropus poliocephalus)
Grey-headed flying foxes are among the most conspicuous bats along the eastern edge of Australia. They are large fruit bats whose presence is felt in coastal woodlands, mangroves, and even city parks where fruiting trees provide a nightly banquet. The species is known by its scientific name Pteropus poliocephalus and by a striking appearance that sets it apart from other bats. In adults, the body length runs roughly from 30 to 40 centimeters, while wings stretch to about a meter across, enabling sturdy takeoffs from trees and long, gliding paths through the evening air. The fur covers the entire body from head to toe, a distinctive feature that makes this bat easy to recognize. In many species, fur coverage stops at the head or neck, but this bat wears a continuous coat of fur that gives a continuous silhouette across legs and toes. Its eyes are unusually prominent for a bat, and it is often described as using its sight more than others do, particularly during twilight hours when roost sites glow with activity. A unique reddish-orange collar of fur around the shoulders adds a splash of color that many observers use as the signature mark of this bat. DID YOU KNOW? Flying foxes are the largest fruit bats in the world and can have a wingspan up to one meter, the longest among all bats. This species stands out for its size, eyesight, and bold fur contrasts that make it a favorite subject for wildlife watchers and researchers alike.
The range of this species covers the eastern seaboard of Australia, from southern Queensland through New South Wales and into Victoria. Roosts are frequently large and conspicuous, hanging in tall trees in forests or along riverine corridors. When fruiting and flowering trees are abundant, these bats travel across landscape mosaics in search of nectar, fruit, and blossoms. Their foraging routes can span many dozens of kilometres each night, linking woodlands to orchards and urban green spaces. In addition to their role as seed dispersers and pollinators for a wide array of trees, they contribute to forest regeneration by moving genetic material across the landscape. The health of their populations is influenced by the availability of fruiting trees, water availability, and seasonal weather patterns, with extreme heat waves posing a serious hazard.