The Grey-headed Flying-fox is one of Australia's most important keystone species, playing a pivotal role in dispersing the seeds and pollen of our woodlands and rainforests. In fact, it's been estimated that a flying-fox can spread up to 60,000 seeds in a single night! Essentially, the forests of eastern Australia and the wildlife they support (such as koalas) would not be able to regenerate and thrive without flying-foxes.

Where do they live?

The Grey-headed Flying-fox inhabits an impressive range of environments including forests, woodlands, rainforests. mangroves, swamps, and even urban areas.  They are distributed along Australia’s east coast from Adelaide through Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and up into Queensland. 

While they may seem common in our cities, studies have indicated that grey-headed flying-foxes have actually declined by around 30 percent in recent decades. For this reason, they are now listed as Vulnerable to Extinction under state and federal legislation. Loss of habitat for farming and development is a key threat to the population, as well as climate change impacts such as extreme drought, storms, heat stress events and bush fire. 

As flying-foxes have been pushed out of their natural habitats, they have started to take refuge in our cities where food and water are available throughout the year. This can create challenges for urban communities, who may experience impacts such as noise, odour and droppings.

Flying-foxes gather in large colonies known as 'camps', but often shift between camps in response to changes in climate and food availability. For this reason, camps can be thought of as bat hotels rather than permanent homes.

Annual mating begins in January and females give birth to a single pup in October or November. Flying-foxes are dedicated and attentive mothers, protecting and nursing their pups for up to six months.

Are there Grey-headed Flying-fox colonies in the Northern Beaches?

There are three grey-headed flying-fox colonies or 'camps' on Council-managed land within the Northern Beaches, located at Balgowlah, Warriewood and Avalon. These camps are managed in accordance with the Northern Beaches Flying-fox Camp Management Plan (CMP) and a threatened species licenses issued by the State government. The CMP was developed based on extensive community consultation and aims to:

• guide management of the camps in accordance with the NSW Flying-fox Camp Management Policy
• minimise community impacts and avoid future conflict
• improve community understanding of flying-foxes including their ecological role
• conserve flying-foxes and their habitat
• support community resilience to flying-fox impacts
• clearly define roles and responsibilities for management actions
• ensure actions are in accordance with relevant legislation.

What do they eat?

Grey-headed Flying-foxes don’t rely on echolocation like other bats and instead use their sharp eyesight and keen sense of smell to navigate and locate food. 

Around dusk, the flying-foxes leave their camps and disperse across the landscape in search of nectar, pollen and fruit. They can sometimes travel up to 50 kilometres in a single night. 

They feed on an impressive variety of plants - over 180 species. This includes the nectar and pollen of native trees such as eucalypts, melaleucas and banksias, as well as fruits from rainforest trees and vines. Their diet often takes them into cultivated gardens and commercial fruit crops, which is why they are known as “fruit bats.” 

By consuming blossoms, fruit and pollen, flying‑foxes play a critical ecological role as long‑distance pollinators and seed dispersers across eastern Australia.

What do they look like?

The Grey-headed Flying-fox is Australia’s largest bat, measuring 23-29 centimetres in head-body length and weighing between 600 and 1,000 grams. It has long dark grey fur across the body, a lighter grey head, and a prominent reddish‑brown or golden-orange collar around their neck. Its wings are glossy black, spanning up to one metre. Unlike other flying-fox species, the Grey-headed Flying-fox has fur on its legs, which extends all the way down to the ankles. 

Grey-headed Flying-foxes are also known for their loud and complex vocalisations - a mix of squeals, screeches and chattering used for communication within crowded camps. 

During hot weather, flying-foxes help regulate their body temperature by fanning themselves with their wings and circulating blood through the thin wing membranes to release heat. This is a behaviour essential for surviving Australia’s warm climate.

How can you support the species?

• If you see an injured bat, do not touch it but report it to WIRES (1300 094 737) or Sydney Wildlife (9413 4300).
• Stay on the path: When cycling or walking through natural areas, stick to the path so you don't disturb any habitat.
• Join a local Bushcare group: Participate in supervised bush regeneration to help restore habitat.
• Join local clean ups: Participate in local clean up groups such as the Northern Beaches Clean Up Crew.

Fun facts

• Their legs have very small muscles which means they are light enough to fly but not strong enough to stand upright.
• Flying-foxes drink by skimming along the surface of waterbodies then licking the water from their fur.
• They navigate to feeding areas by following rivers and other landmarks - in urban areas, this can include major roads.