Silver-haired Bat

Habitat: Mature forests, riparian woodlands, and forested wetlands. Silver-haired Bats typically roost in tree cavities, beneath loose bark, and in crevices of large trees, with a preference for deciduous species such as maple, willow, and ash. They may also occasionally use human-made structures.

Diet: Moths, flies, beetles, leafhoppers, and other soft-bodied flying insects captured in forest openings, along waterways, and above the canopy.

Maternity Colony Size: Solitary or very small groups, typically 1–10 females.

Winter Strategy: Migratory species that moves to milder climates in the southern United States for winter.

Species Notes:
The Silver-haired Bat is a medium-sized, migratory tree bat that is strongly associated with mature forest habitat. Historically, it was one of the most commonly encountered bat species in the Adirondack region, but in recent decades it has become much less frequently observed during summer surveys.

This species roosts primarily beneath loose bark or within cavities of large trees, often selecting older deciduous trees such as willow, maple, and ash. Because it depends on mature forest structure, it is sensitive to forest fragmentation and the loss of large, cavity-bearing trees.

Silver-haired Bats are among the earliest bats to emerge in the evening, sometimes beginning to forage before sunset. They fly slowly and steadily through forest openings and along waterways, where they capture a variety of flying insects.

Unlike cave-hibernating species, Silver-haired Bats migrate seasonally rather than hibernating in caves. Males and females generally remain separate outside of the breeding season and only come together during migration and mating periods.

Newborn Silver-haired Bats are initially blind and hairless but develop rapidly and gain full sensory abilities soon after birth. Adults may live up to 12 years in the wild, though many face threats during migration, including habitat loss and collision risks associated with human infrastructure.