Mammals Active at night

Black Flying-fox

Pteropus alecto

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The Black Flying-fox is a majestic 'mega-bat' that reigns over the night skies of Northern Australia. As an essential forest pollinator, this intelligent social mammal is a fascinating frequent visitor to suburban backyards.

17 Sightings

2 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan up to 1.0 m (3.3 ft); head-body length 25–28 cm (10–11 in); weight 500–1000 g (1.1–2.2 lbs)

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Colors

Uniformly jet-black fur, occasionally featuring a subtle reddish-brown or dark chocolate mantle on the neck and shoulders.

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Key Features

Massive wingspan reaching 1 meter
Short, dense jet-black fur across the entire body
Fox-like face with large, intelligent eyes and pointed ears
No visible tail and sharp claws for climbing through canopies

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 6 PM - 5 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Specialist nectarivore and frugivore that feeds on the blossoms of Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, and Banksia trees, as well as native and cultivated fruits.

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Habitat Mangroves, paperbark swamps, tropical rainforests, and suburban gardens with flowering native trees.

Sightings on EverydayEarth

The Giant Flying Fox

Apr 8, 2026

A Black Flying-fox is seen hanging upside down from the mesh ceiling of its enclosure, securely wrapped in its dark wings. It shifts its head and body slightly while resting. A large plush toy hangs in the foreground as environmental enrichment.

The Giant Flying Fox

Apr 8, 2026

A Black Flying-fox hangs from the mesh ceiling, shifting its weight and turning its head to observe the surroundings. A second individual is partially hidden within the leafy branches in the center of the enclosure. The camera then pans across the aviary, showing the habitat structure and a long, white enrichment rope.

The Giant Flying Fox

Apr 7, 2026

Several Black Flying-foxes are seen roosting, hanging upside down from thin branches. Most are wrapped tightly in their dark wings. The individual on the far left shifts its position slightly, revealing its fox-like face and the distinctive reddish-brown fur on its mantle.

The Giant Flying Fox

Apr 6, 2026

A Black Flying-fox hangs upside down from the wire mesh ceiling of its enclosure, leaning down to investigate or drink from a suspended white cup. In the background, other bats are visible hanging quietly against the mesh and fabric enrichment items.

The Giant Flying Fox

Apr 4, 2026

Several Black Flying-foxes are seen roosting, hanging upside down from branches against a wire mesh background. The bat on the left is active, stretching and fanning its large, dark wings, while the others remain relatively still, wrapped in their wing membranes.

The Giant Flying Fox

Apr 4, 2026

Several Black Flying-foxes are active within a mesh enclosure. One bat perches on the left, meticulously grooming its wing membrane. Another bat on the right shifts its weight and looks toward the camera, showing prominent eye shine. In the background, other bats can be seen moving along the mesh.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Black Flying-fox Live?

The Black Flying-fox is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Oceania and Southeast Asia. Its core population spans the northern and eastern coastlines of Australia, from Shark Bay in Western Australia across the Top End to New South Wales. Beyond Australia, it is commonly found in the lowland areas of Papua New Guinea and throughout several Indonesian islands, including Sulawesi and Sumba.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

3 Countries

4.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AU Australia ID Indonesia Papua New Guinea

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Black Flying-foxes are highly social mammals that congregate in massive communal roosts known as 'camps.' These camps are often located in mangroves or paperbark swamps and can contain tens of thousands of individuals. They are incredibly vocal animals, using a complex language of squawks and chatters to establish hierarchy and defend their personal space within the crowded roost.

As nocturnal foragers, they depart their camps in spectacular 'fly-outs' at sunset, traveling up to 50 kilometers in a single night to find food. They are exceptionally intelligent and have been observed using sophisticated navigation skills to return to the same productive trees night after night. While they can be noisy neighbors in suburban areas, they are harmless to humans and pets if left alone.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of Black Flying-foxes, you need to think vertically. These bats rarely descend to the ground, so your AI-powered camera should be mounted high—ideally 2 to 4 meters up—facing a known food source like a flowering Grevillea or a fruiting fig tree. Angle the camera slightly upward to capture them as they glide into the branches or clamber through the foliage using their hooked thumbs.

Since they are strictly nocturnal, a camera with high-quality 'no-glow' infrared LEDs is a must. Standard white flash can startle them and cause their dark fur to appear as a featureless black blob. Set your camera to capture short video clips (15-20 seconds) rather than just stills; the way these bats wrap their wings around themselves or interact with other bats provides much more interesting content than a static image.

You don't need artificial bait, which can actually be harmful to their diet. Instead, focus your camera on 'natural' lures. During hot summer spells, placing a camera near a swimming pool or a garden pond can yield amazing results, as flying foxes will often fly low over the water to 'belly-dip,' licking the water off their fur to stay hydrated and cool.

Finally, ensure your camera's PIR (Passive Infrared) sensitivity is set to 'High.' Because bats move quickly and have fur that insulates their body heat, they can sometimes be missed by less sensitive sensors. A high-speed trigger will ensure you catch the moment they first swoop into the frame rather than just a departing wing-tip.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Black Flying-fox.

Grey-headed Flying-fox

Features a prominent orange-red collar and a grey head, whereas the Black Flying-fox is almost entirely black.

Little Red Flying-fox

Much smaller with distinctly reddish-brown fur and more translucent wings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Black Flying-foxes are strictly nocturnal. They are most active from dusk, when they leave their roosts in a mass fly-out, until dawn. You are most likely to see them in your backyard between 7 PM and 4 AM as they forage for nectar and fruit.

The best way to attract them is by planting native Australian trees. They are particularly fond of flowering Eucalyptus, Corymbia, and Melaleuca species. Avoid using bird netting on your trees, as bats can become easily entangled and injured.

Their primary diet consists of nectar and pollen from native blossoms, particularly Eucalypts. They also enjoy native fruits like figs and occasionally visit suburban gardens for mangoes, mulberries, or stone fruit when native food sources are scarce.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas along the northern and eastern coasts of Australia. As their natural habitat shrinks, they have adapted well to urban environments where garden trees and street plantings provide a reliable year-round food source.

The Black Flying-fox is almost entirely jet-black. In contrast, the Grey-headed Flying-fox has a distinct light grey head and a very noticeable collar of orange or ginger-colored fur around its neck.

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