Introduction
The grey-headed flying fox is one of the largest bats native to Australia with a wingspan of over 1 m. Its scientific name is Pteropus poliocephalus. It is mostly dark brown, except for a grey head and orange-red mantle encircling the neck.
Habitation
The grey-headed flying fox is widespread to the south-eastern forested areas of Australia, including eastern coast of Australia from Bundaberg in Queensland to Geelong in Victoria, Adelaide in the south and in times of natural resource shortages, they may be found in unusual locations like colonies in Ingham and Finch Hatton in the north.
Enlistment in Vulnerable Species and Conservation
The grey-headed flying fox was
classified as "Vulnerable to extinction" in The Action Plan for
Australian Bats, however IUCN Red List of Threatened Species listed it as "Vulnerable
Specie" in 2021.
Its conservation become a prominent federal conservation issue in Australia. The accumulated of the species clearly shows that it is in serious decline over 30% between 1989 and 1999. The major reasons of its decline in population includes deaths due to increase in extreme temperature period, competition with the black flying fox, loss of foraging and roosting habitat. To overcome these threats to the specie, the Australian authorities have been legally protected the roost sites since 1986 in New South Wales and since 1994 in Queensland.
Food and Foraging
The grey-headed flying foxes travel
up to 50 km a night from the camp to forage on pollen, nectar and
fruit of native trees. It eats fruit flowers and pollens of Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Banksia, and fruits of rainforest trees and
vines. These bats are able to extract plant juices from foodstuff and
only swallowing smaller seeds of the meal by using its teeth, and tongue.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Grey-headed flying foxes form usually two
different types nestling sites known as camps, summer nestling camps and winter
nestling camps. Summer nestling camps starts from September to April or
June. They form nests, mate, and reproduce. Winter nestling starts
from April to September. Matings are normally witnessed between March and May. Most
mating takes place in the territories and during the day. Females Grey-headed
flying foxes usually give birth to one young each year between late September
and November. After about three months the young are able to fly and by five to
six months of age they begin to feed independently.