Parsons, Jennifer G., Blair, David, Luly, Jon, and Robson, Simon K.A. (2008) Flying-fox (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae) flight altitudes determined via an unusual sampling method: aircraft strikes in Australia. Acta Chiropterologica, 10 (2). pp. 377-379.

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Abstract

The nocturnal behaviour of bats makes it difficult to determine their foraging habits at night, especially in regards to the height or altitude at which they fly. This is particularly true for the larger flying foxes that can travel up to 40 km in a single night(Spen cer et al., 1991; Parsons et al., 2006). Despite the value of such information for many aspects of the foraging ecology and ecophysiology of bats, gathering information on the flight altitudes used by bats remains a challenge that has led to the use of inventive sampling techniques. Active radar systems monitoring aircraft movements have detected the Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) flying at altitudes of over 3,000 m (10,000 feet) (Williams et al., 1973), while helium filled kite balloons in combination with bat echolocation detection devices have identified molossid and emballonurid bats foraging at heights of almost 600 m (1968.5 feet) (Fenton and Griffin, 1997). The diurnal Sa moan flying fox, Pteropus samoensis, has been observed soaring on thermal updrafts (Rich mond et al., 1998; Lindhe Norberg et al., 2000; Thomson et al., 2002), but unfortunately knowledge on the actual flying altitude of this or any other pteropodid species remains unknown.

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