Azores Noctule (Nyctalus azoreum) lives in atlantic Islands across Eastern Atlantic Islands. It feeds on insects and moths. Its conservation status is Vulnerable.
Fascinating facts about the Azores Noctule
- The Azalis noctule is the sole mammal that originated on the Azores, making it the archipelago's only endemic mammal. It lives exclusively in the islands' dry forest habitats, where it roosts in hollow trees, buildings and caves. The bat has been recorded on most of the islands, remaining common on some while becoming rare on others, so its whole range is confined to those islands.
- Unlike most bats, the Azores noctule frequently flies in daylight, catching insects during the day even though it still shows its greatest activity after dark. This unusually high rate of diurnal foraging may stem from the lack of bird predators on the islands. The species still displays anti-predator behaviour, such as leaving roosts in groups, which could relate to its foraging style or to threats from non-avian predators like rats.
- The Azores noctule's echolocation calls are pitched about four to five hertz higher than those of its close relative, the lesser noctule. This shift in frequency is one of several traits that separate it from its ancestor, alongside its smaller size, lighter weight and darker fur. The higher-frequency calls help distinguish the species during acoustic surveys and reflect its recent evolutionary split from the colonising lesser noctules.
- Genetic studies show the Azores noctule diverged from the lesser noctule only a short time ago, keeping almost no genetic difference from its ancestor. This recent split means the species still shares many traits with the colonising bats, yet it is noticeably smaller, lighter and has darker fur. Its echolocation calls also sit about four to five hertz higher than those of the lesser noctule, a subtle acoustic cue of its lineage.
- Human activity has reduced the dry-forest habitat the bat depends on, so its numbers are now threatened and the surviving groups are spread thinly across the archipelago. The species is still found on most islands, being common in some locations while becoming rare on others, which creates a patchwork of isolated populations. This fragmentation limits movement between colonies and makes each group more vulnerable to local disturbances.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeEastern Atlantic Islands
HabitatAtlantic Islands
DietInsects and moths
About the Azores Noctule
In the twilight skies above the Azores, a rare and enigmatic creature stirs, the Azores Noctule, its delicate wings beating in a hypnotic rhythm as it dances through the fading light. With each agile maneuver, this diminutive bat navigates the labyrinthine landscape of sea cliffs and volcanic peaks, its high-pitched calls echoing through the misty air as it pursues the insects that sustain it. As the last remnants of sunlight succumb to the darkness, the Noctule's nocturnal world comes alive, a realm of whispered secrets and mysterious encounters, where this vulnerable voyager reigns supreme.
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