Abstract:
The grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus Temminck) is a threatened large fruit bat
endemic to Australia. It roosts in large colonies in rainforest patches, mangroves, open forest,
riparian woodland and, as native habitat is reduced, increasingly in vegetation within urban
environments. The general biology, ecology and behaviour of this bat remain largely unknown,
which makes it difficult to effectively monitor, protect and manage this species. The current
study provides baseline information on the daytime behaviour of P. poliocephalus in an
autumn/winter roost in urban Sydney, Australia, between April and August 2003. The most
common daytime behaviours expressed by the flying foxes were sleeping (most common),
grooming, mating/courtship, and wing spreading (least common). Behaviours differed
significantly between times of day and seasons (autumn and winter). Active behaviours (i.e.,
grooming, mating/courtship, wing spreading) occurred mainly in the morning, while sleeping
predominated in the afternoon. Mating/courtship and wing spreading were significantly higher
in April (reproductive period) than in winter (non-reproductive period). Grooming was the only
behaviour that showed no significant variation between sample periods. These results provide
important baseline data for future comparative studies on the behaviours of flying foxes from
urban and 'natural' camps, and the development of management strategies for this species.
