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Nectar-drinking bats In southeastern Arizona hummingbird feeders may be emptied during the night by nectar-drinking bats that cross over into the U.S. from Mexico, where they have their main population centers. If you find your hummingbird feeders drained absolutely dry at dawn for several days running, you have probably been visited by these bats. They are strong, long-distance fliers that migrate to follow the seasons of blooming and fruiting plants such as agave and saguaro cactus. These bats have very good eyesight and forage by night, roosting during the day in caves, abandoned mine tunnels and drainage culverts.
Lesser long-nosed bats in cave, USFWS Photo by Mike Coffeen The three species of long-nosed, nectar-feeding bats that may be seen in the U.S. are: the Mexican long-tongued bat (Choeronycteris mexicana), the lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris curasoae), and the Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis). All three are a little over three inches long and weigh from seven-tenths to four-fifths of an ounce. Although all three species overlap in range in Mexico, the Mexican long-nosed bat is not likely to be found in Arizona since it appears in the U.S. only in Texas around the Big Bend area.
Lesser long-nosed bat, USFWS photo by Bill Radke The lesser long-nosed bat is on the endangered species list, so if you have a mind to leave some nectar out at night you may help these little fellows survive. The hummingbirds don't seem to mind sharing as long as you refill the feeders promptly at dawn. Recommended reading: Chambers, Nina et al. Pollinators of the Sonoran Desert: A Field Guide. Tucson: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2004. Good information on the most common Arizona hummingbirds: Anna's, Black-chinned, Broad-billed, and Rufous. There are also excellent descriptions and photos of Lesser long-nosed bat and Mexican long-tongued bat. |
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