High-altitude pursuit of insects by echolocating bats

Abstract

Bat detectors on helium-filled kite balloons revealed echolocating bats active at altitudes ≤ 600 m above the ground over Brachystegia woodland in the Sengwa Wildlife Research Area, Zimbabwe. Feeding buzzes indicated that bats were actively foraging to 600 m. At least seven species of bats were detected, including six molossids and one emballonurid.