Mammals
Yellow-winged Bat
Lavia frons · also called African yellow-winged bat
Perched on an acacia twig in full daylight on the African savanna, a yellow-winged bat watches the air with big upright ears, then darts out to catch a passing insect and returns to the same branch.
Overview
The yellow-winged bat, Lavia frons, is a Least Concern bat of the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Its bright yellow-orange wings, open daytime roosts, and flycatcher-like hunting make it one of the most colourful and unusual bats in Africa.
A bat in plain sight
Most bats hide away in darkness by day, but the yellow-winged bat rests in the open, in the shade of trees and thickets.
Status
Least Concern, widespread across suitable savanna habitat.
Yellow-winged Bat: common questions
Why is it called the yellow-winged bat?
It has vivid yellow to orange wings and ears against a grey body.
Does the yellow-winged bat roost in caves?
No, it rests in trees and bushes in daylight, unlike most bats, which hide in caves or roofs.
How does the yellow-winged bat hunt?
It waits on a branch and flies out to seize passing insects, much like a flycatcher.
Where is the yellow-winged bat found?
It lives in savanna and acacia woodland across sub-Saharan Africa.