Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 5218465

Common Pipistrelle

Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Also known as Common Bat, Pipistrelle Bat

Common pipistrelles emerge shortly after sunset to hunt midges, mosquitoes, and small moths, darting erratically on agile wings along woodland edges, parks, and suburban gardens. Females gather in summer maternity roosts nestled under roof tiles or inside tree hollows, giving birth to a single pup that learns to fly within a month. During winter, they retreat into deep crevices in buildings, stone walls, and caves to hibernate through freezing temperatures.

NocturnalInsectivoreUrban Wildlife
Common Pipistrelle reference1 / 7
Licensed reference"Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)" by Meneer Zjeroen is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Chironomid Midge
  • Mosquito
  • Small Moth
Predators
  • Domestic Cat
  • Barn Owl
  • Tawny Owl
ThreatsModern building renovations sealing roosts, artificial light pollution, and insect declines
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, farmland edges, urban parks, and residential gardens
Life span4–5 years (up to 16 years recorded)
Classification
  1. OrderChiroptera
  2. FamilyVespertilionidae
  3. GenusPipistrellus
  4. SpeciesPipistrellus pipistrellus
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Can carry bat lyssavirus and bite defensively; observe roosts without touching or handling grounded bats.
Why it is dangerous
Can transmit European Bat Lyssavirus, a rabies-related pathogen passed through saliva via defensive bites.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Body is thumb-sized with chocolate-brown fur, blackish wing membranes, and rapid erratic flight at dusk.
What to do
Never touch or pick up a grounded bat with bare hands; use a thick towel or contact a licensed rescuer.
What to notice
Recognizable by small droppings beneath roof crevices and dusk emergence along building eaves.
Support conservation
Do not obstruct roost entrances or apply chemical timber treatments while bats are present.
Responsible observation
  • Evening Watching: Stand near tree lines or garden ponds at dusk to watch their erratic hunting flights.
  • Bat Detectors: Tune an ultrasonic detector to 45 kHz to hear their rapid echolocation clicks.
  • Roost Protection: Leave known roosts in roof spaces undisturbed, especially during the summer breeding season.
Related species
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Moonlight Marvels

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