Head to head
Black Flying Fox vs Gray-Headed Flying Fox
Black Flying Fox
VS Gray-Headed Flying Fox
The black flying fox and gray-headed flying fox are two large fruit bats of Australia that form noisy daytime camps and pollinate native forest, but they differ in range and security.
| Black Flying Fox | Gray-Headed Flying Fox | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pteropus alecto | Pteropus poliocephalus |
| Size | A large fruit bat with a wingspan of well over a metre | Australia's largest bat, with a wingspan approaching 1.5 metres |
| Range | Northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia | Forest and wetland along Australia's east coast |
| Diet | Nectar, blossom, and fruit, especially from eucalypts and figs | Nectar, pollen, and fruit of native trees, located by sight and smell |
| Camps and ecology | Roosts in large, noisy camps and carries pollen and seeds as it feeds | A keystone pollinator of eucalypt forest, with large camps that are sometimes close to towns and cities |
| Main threats | Culling as an orchard pest, heat waves, and habitat loss | Habitat loss, mass mortality in extreme heat, and conflict over urban-adjacent camps |
| Virus link | A natural host of Hendra virus | Not specifically documented |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Vulnerable, with a decreasing population |
Black Flying Fox vs Gray-Headed Flying Fox: common questions
Which flying fox is Australia's largest bat?
The gray-headed flying fox, with a wingspan approaching 1.5 metres.
Which flying fox is more at risk?
The gray-headed flying fox, which is Vulnerable and suffers mass die-offs in extreme heat, while the black flying fox is Least Concern.
Where do the black and gray-headed flying foxes live?
The black flying fox lives across northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia, while the gray-headed flying fox lives along Australia's east coast.