Townsend's Big-eared Bat

(Corynorhinus townsendii)

(Click on the image to see a larger image)

Photo © Greg Falxa

Description: Largest have 12 ½” wingspan, 2 ½” body, 2” tail. Weighs up to 12 grams, approximately the weight of 2 nickels and a dime. Its huge ears allow it to hunt moths, its principal food, over the tree canopy and over open fields. A Federal species of concern, the Townsend’s is one of the rarest mammals in Washington State. A note about the photo:  Do NOT handle bats with your bare hands unless, like the bat researcher, you have had rabies shots.

Spring/summer: In April 2008 a Townsend’s was recorded at the south end of Capitol Lake. Townsend’s Big-eared Bats might feed along Percival Creek and wooded areas of the Deschutes River—more work with bat detection equipment would be necessary to find them.

Fall/winter: Hibernates in caves and abandoned mines. Extremely sensitive to disturbance of roosting sites; severe population declines in much of the USA.

Hear Townsends Bat and See Its Call: Go to Bat Sounds

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