Mammals nocturnal

Little Red Flying-fox

Pteropus scapulatus

The Little Red Flying-fox is the nomadic acrobat of the Australian night sky. Known for their ginger-tinted fur and incredible nectar-seeking journeys, these smallest of our flying-foxes bring a sense of wild energy to backyards and bushland alike.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Wingspan of 0.9–1.2 m (3–4 ft); body length of 12–20 cm (5–8 in); weight approximately 300–600 g (0.7–1.3 lb)

palette

Colors

Rich reddish-brown to ginger fur over the body; the head is often a contrasting light grey; wing membranes are light brown and notably translucent when back-lit.

visibility

Key Features

Distinctive reddish-brown or 'ginger' fur across the shoulders and back
Semi-transparent, light-brown wing membranes
Greyish fur often present on the head and neck
Smallest mainland Pteropus species in Australia

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern nocturnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 6 PM - 5 AM (Sunset to Sunrise)

calendar_month

Season Year-round, but local numbers spike during spring and summer flowering events.

restaurant

Diet Nectar and pollen specialist; primarily feeds on the blossoms of Eucalyptus, Corymbia, and Melaleuca species, occasionally eating soft fruits.

park

Habitat Woodlands, sclerophyll forests, and riparian areas, frequently visiting suburban gardens with flowering native trees.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

Little Red Flying-foxes are the most nomadic of Australia’s fruit bats, traveling vast distances to follow the irregular flowering patterns of eucalyptus trees. Unlike their larger cousins, they form massive, dense colonies that can number in the hundreds of thousands. These social gatherings are incredibly vocal and energetic, often described as a 'chattering' that can be heard from a distance. In the heat of the day, they use their wings as fans to stay cool, and they are known for their unique method of drinking: flying low over water and dipping their belly fur into the stream to lick the moisture off later.

While they are primarily forest-dwellers, their search for nectar often brings them into suburban backyards, especially when native hardwoods are in peak bloom. They are highly intelligent and observant, though they can be quite clumsy when landing compared to other bat species. In a backyard setting, they are usually harmless visitors interested only in your flowering trees, though their loud social squabbles during the night can be quite a surprise for first-time observers.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of a Little Red Flying-fox, your camera placement should focus on 'flight paths' and 'fueling stations.' Because these bats are nectar specialists, the most reliable way to trigger your camera is by mounting it 6 to 10 feet high in a flowering native tree, such as a Eucalyptus or Bottlebrush. Angle the camera slightly upward toward the outer clusters of blossoms where the bats are most likely to land. Since they are smaller and faster than other flying-foxes, ensure your camera has a fast trigger speed (under 0.5 seconds) and a high-quality infrared flash to freeze their movement without scaring them with white light.

If you have a swimming pool or live near a dam, you have a unique opportunity to capture their 'belly-dipping' behavior. Place your camera on a tripod at the edge of the water, angled low across the surface. Setting your camera to 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video' is essential here, as the action happens in a split second. The best time for this is during dry, hot spells when the bats are most desperate for hydration just after dusk.

In terms of settings, use a high ISO if your camera allows, but prioritize a fast shutter speed to reduce motion blur from their flapping wings. If you are using a trail camera with adjustable PIR (Passive Infrared) sensitivity, set it to 'High' because the bats’ fur provides excellent insulation, making them harder for sensors to detect against the night air. Avoid placing cameras too close to dense foliage that might blow in the wind, as the constant movement will result in thousands of 'false' triggers before the bats even arrive.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Little Red Flying-fox.

Grey-headed Flying-fox

Much larger with a distinct orange fur collar around the neck and fur extending down to the ankles.

Black Flying-fox

Larger and almost entirely black in color, lacking the translucent wing look and ginger tones of the Little Red.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Red Flying-foxes are strictly nocturnal. They emerge from their roosts at dusk (civil twilight) to forage and remain active throughout the night, returning to their camps just before sunrise.

The best way to attract them is by planting nectar-rich Australian natives like Eucalypts, Grevilleas, and Banksias. They are far more attracted to flowers and pollen than to traditional bird feeders or fruit.

They are primarily nectarivores, feeding on the nectar and pollen of native hardwood trees. While they occasionally eat fruit, they are vital pollinators for many Australian forest species.

Yes, they are increasingly common in suburbs, especially when inland food sources are scarce. They follow the 'nectar flow' and will readily visit urban gardens with mature flowering trees.

The Little Red is significantly smaller and has distinct reddish-brown fur. Unlike the Grey-headed Flying-fox, the Little Red lacks the prominent orange 'collar' and has much more translucent wing membranes.

Record Little Red Flying-fox at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo