Foraging Behaviour of the Australian Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas (Microchiroptera: Megadermatidae)

Abstract

The foraging behaviour of Macroderma gigas was investigated in the field by radio-tracking of tagged individuals and by direct observation of feeding bats in May 1983. Foraging areas were centred, on average, 1.9 km from the day roost. The mean size of foraging areas was 61 ha and tagged bats generally returned to the same areas each night. Hunting behaviour of bats within foraging areas consisted of observation at vantage points, with brief sallies to capture prey, mostly insects on the ground, although hawking of flying insects was also observed. Vantage points were changed about every 15 min during foraging periods. The mean distance between them was 360 m. Foraging areas were not exclusive, there was overlap between the ranges of several tagged individuals, and in one case an area was used by 20 bats.