Bats of the United States and Canada

Feeding Behavior

recto runninghead 21 Feeding Behavior While insect-eating bats may often catch flying insects in their mouths, they also capture insects on the wing by scooping them into their tail or wing membranes. The bat then reaches down and takes the insect into its mouth. This results in the erratic flight most people are familiar with when they observe bats feeding in the late evening or around light sources at night. Some bats, like the pallid bat, Antrozous pallidus, of the desert southwestern United States, A few bats in the United States and Canada, such as this pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), land on the ground and forage for insects, other small invertebrates , and even small mammals. J. Scott Altenbach 22 bats of the united states and canada Eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) often fly during daylight hours, especially on warm days in winter. J. Scott Altenbach recto runninghead 23 A Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) skims over a stream and drinks while flying. J. Scott Altenbach land on the ground and forage for insects and other small invertebrates . Others “glean” insects from foliage while flying. Bats drink by skimming close to the surface of a body of water and gulping an occasional mouthful, often much to the dismay of people in and around swimming pools. feeding behavior 23 ...