Spectral Bat - Feeding

Feeding

The spectral bat is a formidable aerial night hunter. While true vampire bats, for which it was formerly named, parasitically feed on the blood of larger animals, often as they sleep and usually with little ill effect, this species rather actively hunts and kills other animals. This large predatory species primarily lives on relatively large vertebrate prey, such as small birds, small mammals (including other species of bats) and occasionally amphibians and reptiles. Prey is usually selected that lives or gathers in groups, has a strong odor and typically roosts on branches rather than in cavities. Most prey selected weighs from 20 to 150 g (0.71 to 5.3 oz), which is equal to their own weight. The remains of 84 bird specimens of 18 different species, including motmots, doves, trogons, cuckoos, wrens and orioles, were discovered at one spectral bat roost. Insects are also included in the diet, especially large crickets, cicadas, etc.

When hunting, this species is extremely stealthy. Their characteristic flight is slow and low to the ground. They can can appear bouncy but are actually quite maneuverable fliers. It will often actively stalk their prey and then pounce from a position on an above branch onto its prey or, in a owl-like fashion, hunt by patrolling back and forth along forest edges, suddenly dropping on something in the grass. Spectral bats do not seem to forage by sight or echolocation as do most bats, but apparently hunt so mainly by scent. However, they have been recorded as being attracted to the stress calls of smaller bats while hunt. Their wing structure allows them to take flight in confined spaces and to carry heavy prey items. These bats were once thought to supplement their diet with fruit, but a captive pair refused to eat any fruit over a 5 year period. Spectral bats usually hunt several times a night and, during the breeding season, the male will hunt for food alone and bring food back to the female and their young.