Fauna
Mammal

Grey-headed Flying-fox

Pteropus poliocephalus

Also known as Grey-headed Fruit Bat

Grey-headed flying-foxes are Australia's largest bats, easily recognized by their dark grey bodies, soft grey heads, and rich rusty-orange collar bands. These highly social mammals gather by the thousands in noisy daytime canopy camps before fanning out across the landscape at dusk. By traveling tens of kilometers each night in search of nectar, pollen, and fruit, they serve as vital long-distance pollinators for native hardwood forests.

PollinatorNocturnalSocial
Grey-headed Flying-fox reference1 / 7
Andrew Mercer (www.baldwhiteguy.co.nz) / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyEucalyptus nectar, Native figs, Lilly pilly fruit
Predators
  • Powerful Owl
  • White-bellied Sea-Eagle
  • Carpet Python
ThreatsExtreme heat events, loss of foraging habitat, human conflict, and netting entanglement.
HabitatsSubtropical and temperate rainforests, sclerophyll forests, woodlands, and urban parks.
Life span15–20 years
Classification
  1. OrderChiroptera
  2. FamilyPteropodidae
  3. GenusPteropus
  4. SpeciesPteropus poliocephalus
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Never handle grounded bats due to Australian Bat Lyssavirus risks; contact a certified wildlife rescuer.
Why it is dangerous
Carries Australian Bat Lyssavirus and Hendra virus, which can cause fatal neurological or respiratory illness in humans through bites or scratches.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a dark grey mantle, a pale grey head, and a distinctive orange collar around the neck.
What to do
Never touch or handle a wild bat directly; always call a vaccinated wildlife professional.
What to notice
Identified by its large size, broad wingspan, and day-roosting behavior high in tree canopies.
Support conservation
Maintain a quiet distance from roosting camps to avoid causing unnecessary stress or fatal colony stampedes.
Responsible observation
  • Dusk Watching: Position yourself near flying-fox camps at twilight to watch thousands take flight at once.
  • Fruit Tree Protection: Use wildlife-safe fruit netting with small mesh gaps to prevent wing entanglements.
  • Report Grounded Individuals: Contact trained wildlife carers immediately if you see an injured or grounded bat.
Related species
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