A medium bat with silver-tipped dark fur. Highly migratory.

Native status: Native to North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 9–11 cm; wingspan 27–32 cm
Weight8–14 g
LifespanWild 12–20 years
OrderChiroptera
FamilyVespertilionidae

§ Encyclopedia

The silver-haired bat is a solitary migratory species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae and the only member of the genus Lasionycteris.

Source: Wikipedia — Silver-haired bat Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium dark bat with silvery-frosted tips on dorsal fur.

Similar species. Eastern Red Bat (red color). Hoary Bat (heavier frosting).

Voice. Ultrasonic echolocation.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Flying insects (moths primary).

Behavior. Tree-roosting migratory bat. High mortality at wind turbines.

§ Range

Across North America

§ Habitat

Forests

§ Threats

Wind turbine strikes, habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the silver-haired bat is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Bat Conservation International
  • USGS National Wildlife Health Center
  • IUCN Red List 2018