Attempted predation of a diurnally active Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) by a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

Abstract

Most species of bats (Chiroptera) are nocturnal, and diurnal activity is only occasionally reported. I observed a Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) flying along a lakeshore in the Okanagan Valley of southcentral British Columbia, Canada, in mid-afternoon. The Spotted Bat flew along the shoreline and drank from the lake. During the course of its flight, the Spotted Bat was attacked by a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), but it escaped. This is the first reported observation of a Spotted Bat active during the daytime. It is also the first reported observation of attempted predation of a bat by a Belted Kingfisher. It is not known how prevalent daytime activity is in Spotted Bats, but this observation supports the hypothesis that predation risk may be high for bats that are active during the day.