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?

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. They are now listed as Vulnerable to Extinction under state and federal legislation due to threats such as loss of habitat for farming and development, extreme weather such as drought and 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.

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.

You may hear them before you see them! 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. 

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. They have large eyes and 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. 

How can you support the species?

• Never touch a bat: If you see a sick or injured bat, do not touch it but report it to WIRES (1300 094 737) or Sydney Wildlife (9413 4300).
• Avoid disturbing bat camps: When cycling or walking through natural areas, stay quiet and stick to the path - particularly during heat waves.
• Use wildlife‑friendly netting and fencing: Prevent animals from becoming trapped or injured while still protecting your plants and gardens by choosing small, tightly woven netting and avoiding barbed‑wire fencing. You can learn more about safe netting practices here and explore wildlife‑friendly fencing options here.
• Plant native trees: Plant native trees and shrubs in your garden to provide essential food sources for local pollinators, including flying‑foxes and bees.
• Join a local Bushcare group: Participate in supervised bush regeneration to help restore habitat.

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.
• 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.
• 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.