Hoary Bat

Habitat: Forests, woodlands, parks, and open landscapes with scattered trees. Hoary Bats typically roost high in the canopy near the tops of large trees, often concealed among foliage. They are found in habitats ranging from remote wilderness areas to suburban parks and forests.

Diet: Primarily moths, beetles, flies, and other large flying insects captured in open airspace above forests, clearings, and waterways.

Maternity Colony Size: Solitary. Females roost alone and raise their young independently rather than forming maternity colonies.

Winter Strategy: Migratory species that generally winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and other warmer regions. Some individuals have been documented overwintering farther north.

Species Notes:
The Hoary Bat is the largest bat species found in New York State and one of the largest bats in North America. Adults can weigh up to seven times more than some of the smaller bat species found in the Northeast. Their name comes from the frosted, silver-tipped appearance of their fur, which gives them a distinctive "hoary" or grizzled look.

Hoary Bats have one of the broadest distributions of any bat in the Americas and have been recorded in every U.S. state except Alaska. They are also the only bat species naturally found in Hawaii. In New York State, the species is most frequently encountered in the Adirondack region, where extensive forest habitat provides suitable roosting and foraging opportunities.

Unlike many bats that forage beneath or along the edges of forests, Hoary Bats often hunt high above the canopy and in open airspace, using their powerful flight to capture large insects. During the day, they typically roost alone near the tops of trees where their fur provides excellent camouflage among leaves and branches.

Hoary Bats are migratory and generally move south during the winter months, though occasional individuals have been documented overwintering as far north as New York and Michigan. Males and females usually occupy different regions during much of the year and typically come together only during the breeding season.

Adults have a wingspan of approximately 15–16 inches, a body length of about 5–6 inches, and are the heaviest bat species regularly found in the Northeast.