Grisly recording reveals bat catching, killing and eating robin mid-flight

"Bats are generally viewed as harmless, if spooky, creatures of the night. But scientists have revealed a more savage side, after witnessing a greater noctule bat Europe's largest bat species hunting, killing and devouring a robin mid-flight. The grisly recording reveals the bat as a formidable predator, climbing to 1.2km (4,000ft) before embarking on a breakneck-speed dive in pursuit of its prey."

"In the latest study, greater noctule bats were taken from nesting boxes in southern Spain and fitted with tiny backpacks containing instruments to record acceleration, altitude and audio, including echolocation calls. The data revealed two instances of bats mounting attacks on migratory birds, one of which was successful. This bat was observed to climb to an altitude of 1.2km, before encountering its prey."

Greater noctule bats catch, kill and consume migratory birds during flight. A recorded event showed a bat climb to about 1.2 km, dive at breakneck speed, deliver a lethal bite and chew a robin while remaining airborne for 23 minutes without losing altitude. Bats fitted with tiny backpacks recorded acceleration, altitude and audio, documenting two attack attempts on migratory birds, one successful. Historical evidence from feathers in bat faeces suggested seasonal bird predation during autumn and spring. Surveillance with cameras, radar and balloon‑borne ultrasound recorders aided confirmation that birds can be an important food resource for bats.

Read at www.theguardian.com