Black Flying-fox - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Pteropus alecto

Conservation status in NSW: Not listed

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 08 Oct 2020

Description

This species was removed from the Schedules of the Threatened Species Act in August 2008 and is no longer listed as threatened in NSW. The Black Flying-fox is almost completely black in colour, relieved only by an incomplete rusty-red collar and a light frosting of silvery grey on the belly. It can be distinguished from the Grey-headed Flying-fox by its greater size, darker colour and bare legs.

Distribution

Coastal and near-coastal areas across northern Australia through eastern Queensland to the Bellinger River in northern NSW. Relatively uncommon in NSW although it appears to be increasing in numbers, extending its range to the south.

Habitat and ecology

Large communal day-time camps in remnants of coastal subtropical rainforest or swamp forest, often with Grey-headed Flying-foxes.
Bats fly out at dusk to feed on rainforest fruits as well as nectar and pollen from flowering eucalypts, paperbarks and banksias.
When native foods are scarce, particularly during drought, they take fruit from orchards.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Clearing and fragmentation of rainforest and swamp forest remnants used for roost sites, mostly as the result of urban development.
Loss of forest areas used for feeding, particularly winter feeding areas, through agriculture, intensive forestry and urban development.
Deliberate destruction and disturbance of flying-foxes including shooting of individuals and harassment and attempted re-location of camps near urban areas.
Conversion of old-growth forests, woodlands and shrublands to young, even-aged stands as a result of intensive forestry and too-frequent burning.
Invasion of habitat by introduced weeds.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 16 priority actions to help recover the Black Flying-fox in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Encourage community awareness of the importance of flying-foxes as pollinators and dispersal agents for seeds of rainforest plants.
Encourage residential development away from camps to avoid potential conflicts.
Use nets to protect commercial fruit crops rather than shooting or harassment at camps.
Assist with removal of weeds from areas of known and potential habitat.
Protect known flying-fox camps from clearing and fragmentation.
Re-establish, rehabilitate and reconnect patches of lowland subtropical rainforest and swamp forest as potential roost sites and foraging habitat.
Report illegal culling or harassment of flying foxes to the DEC.
Report records south of the Clarence River to the DEC.

Information sources

Churchill, S. (2008) Australian Bats. New Holland, Sydney.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Lower North Coast of New South Wales. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)