Bats of Saskatchewan - migrating bats

Eastern Red Bats spend their summers in deciduous trees, hanging from branches amongst the leaves. They migrate to warmer climates, like those in the southeastern USA. They likely hibernate in trees, but have also been reported to hibernate in leaf-litter. 

Eastern Red Bats forage early in the evening, feasting primarily on moths. These bats are one of the most tolerant to light. They can often forage  around streetlights, taking advantage of swarming insects.

While they look quite distinct with their red fur, Eastern Red Bats are actually well camouflaged. Their red coat makes the bat look like a pine cone or dead leaf. They even hang from only one foot, to really appear like a leaf. Camouflage helps bats hide from predators, such as falcons, hawks, cats, and raccoons.  

In the summer, Hoary Bats roost alone or in small groups and live in the foliage of coniferous or deciduous trees. In the winter, they migrate southward to warmer climates. These bats often avoid houses and humans. It is very rare to see a Hoary Bat. 

Hoary Bats hunt in open areas, above water, meadows or forest canopies. They typically eat moths, beetles, grasshoppers, flies, and mosquitoes.

Hoary Bats camouflage into the foliage of trees by blending into the bark, or pretending to be a pine cone or dead leaf. They sometimes hang from branches by only one foot, to sell the illusion. Camouflage helps bats hide from predators such as falcons, hawks, cats, and raccoons.  

In the summer, female Silver-Haired Bats roost in tree hollows along with their pups. Males roost on or the under the bark of a tree or in a hollow.  They frequently use dead trees, called snags. In the winter, Silver-Haired Bats migrate southward to hibernate for shorter periods in places with warmer winters. 

Silver-Haired Bats forage along tree tops, roads, or bodies of water. They typically eat flies, moths, mosquitoes, beetles, midges, caddisflies, ants, and sometimes even spiders.

Silver-Haired bats are famous, appearing as the titular characters in Kenneth Opal's novel Silverwing. These children's books are similar to Watership Down, but take to the sky in featuring bats.