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Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobus picatus)

The Little Pied Bat is a small insectivorous microbat of inland and subcoastal Australia, recorded from mallee, Brigalow, Poplar Box, eucalypt woodland and open forest. It may forage over cleared areas but depends more strongly on woodland, mature trees, caves, mines, buildings and other roost features, so clearing and construction can remove both feeding habitat and roosts.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Endangered.

Breeding season

The supplied sources identify October and November as the birth period. They do not provide a complete annual movement cycle or the duration of dependence, so the seasonal profile below marks only the documented breeding window and the associated period of highest clearing risk.

Seasonal information is limited in the supplied sources. Confirm local breeding activity, roost occupancy and water use before scheduling clearing or demolition.

  • Breeding, mating and births: Females give birth to one or two young in October and November.
  • Young and dependent bats: Newborn young are reported in October and November. The supplied sources do not state how long young remain dependent.
  • Roosting and foraging: The species is nocturnal and may use roosts and nearby water throughout the year. No seasonal torpor or hibernation period is given.
  • Highest clearing risk: October and November are the highest documented risk months because births occur then. Avoid disturbance to occupied roosts and removal of mature hollow-bearing trees during this period where practicable.

Identification

The Little Pied Bat is a small vespertilionid bat that is usually detected at night by harp trapping, mist-netting or acoustic methods. Capture, roost inspection and call records should be interpreted with care because several small vespertilionid bats may occur in the same woodland habitats.

The fur is glossy black on the back and grey on the belly. Two white stripes run along the sides of the body and meet in a V shape near the pubic region.

Size: A body size, forearm length and weight were not given in the supplied documents.

Sex differences: No sex-specific field differences were described in the supplied documents.

  • Check the dorsal and ventral colour contrast and the paired white side stripes on a captured animal.
  • Do not identify the species from colour alone where other small vespertilionid bats are present.

Identification: Distinguishing records

The species was recorded by harp trap in the south-east Queensland surveys, and a Little Pied Bat call was recorded acoustically during the threatened bat survey guidance work. The supplied documents do not provide call frequency, pulse structure or a comparison table with similar species.

  • Use a validated regional call library and retain recordings for expert review where acoustic identification is important.
  • Treat an acoustic identification as provisional if the call is not distinctive at the recording site or if no capture confirmation is available.

Identification: Field signs

Direct signs are most likely to be bats occupying a cave, mine, building or tree hollow. The supplied documents do not describe diagnostic tracks, scats, nests or eyeshine for this species.

  • Inspect suitable roost features only under an approved method and avoid entering or disturbing occupied roosts unnecessarily.
  • Record roost type, entrance condition, evidence of use, nearby water and the number of bats observed.

Distribution: National range

The supplied sources place the Little Pied Bat in inland and subcoastal parts of South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Its distribution is associated with dry country and extends north in Queensland to just north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

The species extends from the mallee region of South Australia through the dry areas of western New South Wales and into southern Queensland. Records and habitat descriptions include the Darling River catchment, the Pilliga province and south-east Queensland.

  • States documented in the supplied material are South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.
  • Bioregional records and examples include mallee country, the Darling Riverine Plains, the Pilliga province, Brigalow Belt South, central Queensland and the south-east Queensland bioregion.

Distribution: Known concentrations and records

The species has been recorded in dry forests dominated by Corymbia citriodora and ironbark in south-east Queensland, as well as Cordalba and Benarkin state forests, Bingera State Forest and Eurimbula National Park. In the south-east Queensland surveys, it was recorded at ten sites across eight survey areas, while the habitat assessment refers to 13 confirmed records in that bioregion.

South-east Queensland survey result: Ten sites across eight survey areas in the systematic fauna survey.

South-east Queensland confirmed records: Thirteen confirmed records were reported in the habitat assessment.

Population size and trend: No national population estimate or population trend was provided.

  • The Pilliga province and woodland remnants of the central west of New South Wales are relevant areas for project assessment.
  • In south-east Queensland, records are scattered and include several newly documented localities rather than a mapped continuous stronghold.

Habitat: Vegetation communities

The Little Pied Bat uses a broad set of dry woodland and forest communities, but records are concentrated in structured woodland and forest rather than open grassland or cultivation. Habitat can persist in fragmented areas, although often at low density.

Documented communities include mallee, Brigalow, Bimble or Poplar Box, ironbark, Corymbia citriodora woodland, eucalypt woodland and open forest. Records also include Auracarian notophyll vine forest gullies and mixed coastal lowland forest, showing that the species is not restricted to one vegetation formation.

  • Map dry woodland and forest remnants even where they are isolated or surrounded by cleared land.
  • Give particular attention to Belah, Brigalow, ironbark, Box and other mature eucalypt communities in inland projects.

Habitat: Structural features

Important habitat features include mature trees with hollows, loose bark, connected or nearby woodland, and nearby water. The species can persist in fragmented country, but survey evidence indicates lower use of open vegetation such as grassland and cultivation than of woodland or forest.

  • Retain hollow-bearing and mature trees wherever practicable, including isolated trees that may provide roosts or short-distance foraging structure.
  • Inspect buildings, mines, caves and tree hollows before demolition, earthworks or tree removal.
  • Record nearby dams, drainage lines and other permanent or semi-permanent water sources.

Habitat: Climate and elevation

The species is described as adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions. The supplied documents do not give a defined elevation limit.

Elevation limit: Not stated in the supplied documents.

Roost temperature: Roosts have been recorded where temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

  • Use local records and habitat mapping rather than elevation alone to assess potential occurrence.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding areas

The Little Pied Bat is insectivorous and feeds at night. It may forage over open areas, but survey evidence indicates greater use of woodland and forest than grassland or cultivation.

The species feeds on insects, although the exact diet is not known. It can feed on flying insects around scattered trees and cleared land, but it appears to prefer structured woodland and forest habitat.

  • Retain woodland edges, mature trees and vegetation structure around known or potential roosts.
  • Avoid assuming that cleared land has no value, because the species may forage over open areas even when roost habitat is absent.
  • Protect access to nearby water, including stock dams, because the species frequently visits dams for an evening drink in dry country.

Foraging habitat: Foraging range

No foraging distance, home range or nightly movement distance was provided. The species generally remains in the same area throughout its lifetime according to the supplied habitat account, but no quantified movement data were given.

Foraging distance: Not stated in the supplied documents.

Survey effort referenced in national guidance: For a project area under 50 hectares, the guidance table gives 20 harp-trap nights over a minimum of five nights, or 20 mist-net nights over a minimum of five nights.

  • Assess the roost and surrounding woodland, open feeding areas and water points as one functional site rather than assessing the tree or building alone.
  • Use targeted harp trapping, mist-netting and acoustic detection where the species is a listed consideration or where suitable roosts are present.

Breeding habitat: Breeding features

Breeding may occur in tree hollows and other roosts within woodland, including larger hollows for small breeding colonies. The supplied sources provide the birth period and litter size but not gestation, maturity or lifespan data.

Females may give birth in October and November. The species can occur as individuals, pairs or small colonies, and breeding colonies require larger tree hollows than those used by a single bat.

Breeding or birth season: October to November.

Young per litter: One or two young.

Gestation: Not stated in the supplied documents.

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents.

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied documents.

  • Retain mature hollow-bearing trees in woodland remnants and around known roost areas.
  • Treat tree removal during October and November as a high-risk activity because females may be giving birth or caring for newborn young.
  • Inspect potential hollows, buildings, mines and caves before clearing, demolition or vibration-generating works.

Sheltering habitat: Roost types

The Little Pied Bat uses both natural and artificial roosts. Roost choice can vary from solitary use of a tree feature to small groups in caves, mines, buildings or other sheltered sites.

Recorded or reported roosts include dry caves, abandoned mines, disused houses and other buildings, tree hollows and loose bark. Earlier accounts emphasised caves, mines and rock shelters, but later observations confirmed tree hollows as roosts.

  • Search all potential roost types before clearing, demolition, blasting, tunnelling or major vibration works.
  • Retain hollow-bearing trees and trees with loose bark where safe to do so.
  • Do not treat an apparently unused mine, building or hollow as unoccupied without an appropriate inspection.

Sheltering habitat: Roost conditions and group size

Little Pied Bats have been found roosting where temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius and must roost near water. They may roost alone, in pairs, in small breeding colonies or in groups of about 20 to 40 bats.

Reported group size: About 20 to 40 bats in small groups, although solitary roosting is also reported.

Roost temperature: More than 40 degrees Celsius has been recorded at roosts.

Roost water requirement: Roosts are described as being near water.

  • Map the distance from each potential roost to dams, drainage lines and other water sources.
  • Record whether a roost is solitary or communal, because disturbance to a small group or breeding colony may affect more than one animal.
  • Where a roost is confirmed, establish a site-specific exclusion and monitoring approach before works begin.

Threats: Clearing and construction

The main project risks are loss of mature roost trees, destruction or disturbance of caves, mines and buildings, and removal of woodland used for foraging. Fragmentation and open-country conversion can reduce habitat use even where some scattered trees remain.

Threats include tree clearing, loss of mature roost trees in inland areas, destruction of caves by mining, removal of old buildings and loss of feeding habitat through clearing and agricultural degradation. Scattered paddock trees may provide some foraging value but generally offer less roosting habitat than woodland remnants.

  • Avoid clearing hollow-bearing trees, loose-bark trees, woodland remnants and potential roost buildings where practicable.
  • Survey caves, mines, buildings and tree hollows before demolition, road construction, quarrying or blasting.
  • Retain woodland patches and establish buffers around confirmed roosts and breeding sites.

Threats: Fragmentation and water

The species can persist in highly fragmented areas at low density, but surveys found significantly lower use of open vegetation such as grassland and cultivation than woodland and forest. The species also frequently visits stock dams for an evening drink in dry country.

  • Maintain links between woodland remnants where possible and avoid removing the only mature trees between a roost and feeding habitat.
  • Avoid severing access to dams or other water sources used by bats.
  • Manage drainage and earthworks so that nearby water sources are not polluted, drained or made inaccessible.

Threats: Predators and other pressures

Feral cats, hawks, owls and butcherbirds are listed as predators. The supplied documents do not identify a species-specific disease threat, road mortality pattern or fire response.

  • Control feral cats around known roosts and minimise avoidable disturbance at roost entrances.
  • Treat road, fire and disease risks as site-specific matters requiring local evidence rather than assuming they are absent.
  • Record any injured or dead bats and refer unusual mortality to the relevant wildlife authority or veterinarian.

Survey methodology: 1. Harp trapping

Survey this bat in dry woodland, open forest, Brigalow, mallee, Bimble Box and other wooded habitat, with particular attention to caves, mines, buildings and hollow-bearing trees. Detection can be difficult, and the species may occur at low density in fragmented woodland, so use more than one method where habitat is present.

Use harp traps at likely flyways, including beside woodland edges, narrow tracks, creek lines and gaps between roosting and feeding habitat.

The South-east Queensland survey recorded all Little Pied Bat records from harp traps, including ten sites across eight survey areas. Most records came from dry forests dominated by Corymbia citriodora and ironbark species, although vine forest gullies and mixed coastal lowland forest were also used.

Set traps before dusk and check them regularly from first light, or more often where conditions, animal welfare requirements or the management plan require it.

For project areas smaller than 50 hectares, the threatened bat survey guideline gives 20 harp-trap nights over a minimum of 5 nights as a survey effort benchmark.

Guideline effort for areas under 50 hectares: 20 harp-trap nights over 5 nights

Documented South-east Queensland result: Ten sites across eight survey areas, with all records obtained from harp traps

  • Place traps where the surrounding vegetation and access conditions allow safe, rapid checking and release.
  • Do not leave a trapped bat exposed to heat, rain or direct sun, and stop trapping if conditions could compromise animal welfare.
  • Record trap location, date, start and finish time, weather, trap effort, species, sex, age class where practicable and release location.

Survey methodology: 2. Acoustic detection

Deploy ultrasonic detectors in dry woodland, open forest, Brigalow, mallee, Bimble Box and ironbark habitat, and along likely flyways near water and woodland edges.

Use detectors for a series of suitable nights that covers the areas proposed for clearing and nearby retained habitat. The supplied records show that ultrasonic detection was used in the regional survey, and the national guideline includes a confirmed Little Pied Bat call recording.

Have calls checked by a suitably experienced bat ecologist because species identification from calls can be difficult and some Australian bat calls overlap.

  • Place detectors at ground level in open flight paths, beside tracks and near dams or other available drinking sites, while avoiding vegetation that blocks the microphone.
  • Record detector model, calibration or sensitivity settings, location, deployment and retrieval times, weather and the call files retained for review.
  • Treat an acoustic record as evidence of use of the area, not proof of a roost or breeding colony.

Survey methodology: 3. Spotlighting and roost inspection

Undertake nocturnal spotlighting along tracks, edges, creek lines and around retained woodland where safe access is available.

Inspect potential daytime roosts before clearing, including dry caves, mines, disused buildings, rock shelters and hollow-bearing trees. The species has also been reported using loose bark and may roost alone or in small groups.

Inspect caves, mines and buildings without entering unsafe structures or disturbing roosting bats. Human visitors can disturb cave roosts, so keep visits brief and controlled.

  • Use spotlighting as a supplementary method because the regional account records harp trapping as the successful method for Little Pied Bat detections.
  • Search for guano, staining, scratch marks, bat odour and roost access points, but do not treat the absence of signs as proof that a feature is unused.
  • Survey near water because the Australian Museum reports that roosts are near water, and other species information records frequent visits to stock dams for drinking.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use the project ecologist to set the final effort after checking the proposed clearing area, habitat condition, season, access and the likelihood of roosts.
  • Apply the 5-night, 20-trap-night benchmark for a project area under 50 hectares where harp trapping is safe and appropriate, and document any departure from that effort.
  • Submit verified records, including negative survey results where required, to the relevant state wildlife database and provide the record details to the project approval authority.
  • Retain original call files, photographs, trap sheets, coordinates, weather data, animal handling records and the survey report with the project environmental records.
  • Update the assessment if clearing design, timing or the area of potential habitat changes.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat retained woodland, mature trees, tree hollows, caves, mines, buildings, loose bark and nearby water as potential Little Pied Bat habitat. The species is listed as Vulnerable in New South Wales and Endangered in South Australia, although it is not listed under the EPBC Act on the supplied status information.

Retain dry woodland and open forest wherever practicable, especially ironbark, Brigalow, White Box, Pilliga Box, Grey Box, Bimble Box and mallee communities recorded as habitat for the species.

Retain mature hollow-bearing trees, standing dead trees, loose-barked trees, caves, mines and disused buildings until they have been assessed for roost use.

Keep retained habitat connected to nearby woodland and water, rather than creating isolated cleared patches. The species can persist in fragmented areas at low density, but woodland remnants are preferred to open paddocks.

Avoid clearing around known or potential roosts and retain nearby foraging habitat, because the species uses both roosting and feeding areas.

  • Use the smallest practicable clearing footprint and place access tracks, compounds and stockpiles in already cleared areas.
  • Do not assume scattered trees provide equivalent habitat to woodland remnants. The NSW assessment found little to no roost habitat in scattered Rosewood paddock trees compared with eucalypt woodland.
  • Avoid removing old mines, caves, buildings or hollow-bearing trees unless the feature has been assessed and the approval allows the action.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project planning

Check the current threatened-species requirements in every state or territory where the project occurs, because the supplied listings identify different state statuses and the species is not nationally listed under the EPBC Act.

Obtain any required state wildlife permits for trapping, handling, relocation, rehabilitation or destruction of fauna habitat before work starts.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies potential roosts, survey results, clearing limits, authorised personnel, stop-work triggers, release sites, injured-animal procedures and reporting requirements.

Stage clearing so that survey findings can be incorporated before each work area is opened.

  • Refer the action under the EPBC Act if the species is nationally listed at the time of assessment or if another protected matter may be affected.
  • Use current state legislation and agency guidance rather than relying only on the historical documents supplied for this profile.
  • Schedule clearing outside periods identified by the project ecologist as presenting increased risk to dependent young, maternity groups or roosting bats.

Before habitat disturbance: Prepare the site

Complete a pre-clearance inspection of all vegetation and structures within the impact area and of any habitat likely to be affected by vibration, access or dust.

Mark no-go areas, retained trees, roost features, water points and exclusion zones on plans and on the ground before machinery arrives.

Use exclusion fencing, flagging and physical barriers where they can prevent machinery, vehicles and workers from entering retained habitat.

Brief machinery operators and the fauna spotter catcher on the location of all controls, the approved clearing direction and the process for stopping work.

  • Inspect hollow-bearing trees, dead trees, loose bark, caves, mines and buildings during the period when bats are most likely to be present, using the approved survey methods.
  • Do not seal or modify a potential roost before an authorised fauna ecologist has assessed it and confirmed the required action.
  • Check that the spotter catcher has the required state authority, equipment, transport containers, release arrangements and wildlife carer or veterinary contacts.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Use a controlled clearing process with a fauna spotter catcher present whenever potential Little Pied Bat habitat is disturbed. The spotter catcher must have authority to stop the work and must be able to reach any retained or felled habitat feature safely.

Inspect exclusion fencing, no-go markers, retained trees and access routes before work starts each day.

Keep the fauna spotter catcher within effective observation distance of the active clearing face and stop machinery whenever the spotter catcher gives the agreed stop signal.

Clear in stages towards retained habitat where safe, giving mobile fauna an opportunity to move away from machinery and toward suitable cover.

Do not work at night near known or potential roosts unless the approved fauna management plan specifically allows it.

  • Maintain a daily pre-start briefing covering the clearing limits, expected habitat features, communication method, weather and emergency contacts.
  • Keep excavators, cranes and other machinery clear of marked hollows, caves, mines, buildings, logs, rock piles and water points until each feature has been checked.
  • Stop work during extreme heat, heavy rain, smoke, dust or other conditions that prevent effective fauna detection or safe handling.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features

Have the spotter catcher inspect hollow-bearing trees, loose bark, standing dead trees, logs, rocks, caves, mines and disused buildings before disturbance.

Do not fell or demolish a potential roost feature until the feature has been checked and the authorised fauna professional has confirmed the method.

Retain habitat features in place where possible. If an approved plan requires relocation of logs or rocks, place them in nearby retained woodland with similar shelter conditions.

Do not seal a cave, mine or building entrance while bats may be inside, and do not enter an unsafe structure to search for bats.

  • Use a qualified arborist and fauna ecologist for staged removal of hollow-bearing trees where removal is approved.
  • Lower hollow-bearing limbs or trees slowly where safe, orienting hollows away from direct sun and machinery, and leave them undisturbed for inspection before further handling.
  • Treat a bat found in a hollow, cave, mine, building or tree as a potential roosting animal and apply the project stop-work procedure.

During habitat disturbance: Animal handling and stop-work response

Stop work immediately if a Little Pied Bat is found, if a suspected roost is exposed, or if bats are observed leaving a feature during clearing.

Allow the authorised fauna spotter catcher or wildlife ecologist to assess the animal, and do not permit untrained workers to handle it.

Handle bats only under the relevant state permit and fauna management plan, using appropriate personal protective equipment and a secure, ventilated container.

Release a healthy animal into nearby retained habitat only when the authorised person considers the release safe and consistent with the approval.

  • Do not relocate a bat far from the impact area or across unsuitable cleared land unless the approved plan and state authority expressly allow it.
  • Place an injured, grounded or heat-stressed bat in a secure container and contact the nominated wildlife carer or veterinarian immediately.
  • Record the species, condition, exact find location, feature involved, action taken, release or transfer location, personnel and time.
  • Resume work only after the authorised fauna professional has cleared the area and the site supervisor has recorded the decision.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Confirm that clearing did not leave injured animals, exposed roosts or damaged retained habitat. Keep the controls in place while construction continues because disturbance can continue after vegetation removal.

Inspect the cleared area, retained trees, nearby woodland edges, caves, mines, buildings and water points after each clearing stage.

Complete a final search for grounded or injured bats before earthworks, stockpiling and vehicle movements begin in the cleared area.

Check that no hollow, loose-bark tree, log, rock feature, cave or building identified in the management plan has been damaged or entered without approval.

  • Maintain exclusion fencing and no-go markers until machinery no longer threatens retained habitat.
  • Repair damaged fencing and replace missing markers immediately.
  • Record the date, area cleared, habitat features removed or retained, fauna observations, incidents, photographs and any corrective actions.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and compliance

Monitor retained woodland and known roost features where the approval or fauna management plan identifies a risk of ongoing disturbance.

Repeat acoustic monitoring or targeted trapping if an animal, roost or unexpected habitat feature is found, or if the clearing footprint changes.

Report threatened-species sightings, injuries, deaths, relocations and permit breaches to the relevant state agency within the required timeframe.

  • Compare post-clearance records with the pre-clearance survey and explain any difference in detected habitat or fauna use.
  • Keep monitoring results with the project environmental records and submit verified records to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Implement approved offsets or other compensatory measures where impacts cannot be avoided and the approval requires them.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore woodland and roost features

Rehabilitation should restore connected woodland structure and roosting opportunities, not only ground cover. Prioritise habitat types and features documented for the Little Pied Bat in the project region.

Replant locally appropriate dry woodland and open-forest species, including the regional vegetation communities used by the species such as ironbark, Brigalow, Box and mallee communities.

Retain existing mature trees and protect regenerating trees until they can contribute to future hollow and bark habitat.

Retain or reinstate suitable logs and rock shelter features in nearby woodland where their movement is approved and safe.

Consider artificial hollows or bat boxes only where a suitably experienced bat ecologist designs, places and monitors them, because the supplied documents identify natural tree hollows, caves, mines, buildings and loose bark as roost resources.

  • Link rehabilitation areas to retained woodland and avoid creating narrow isolated strips surrounded by open ground.
  • Protect planted and retained trees from machinery, grazing, fire damage and weed competition during establishment.
  • Do not remove old buildings, close mine entrances or alter caves used as potential roosts without a documented assessment and approval.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage threats and water

Control weeds so planted and regenerating woodland develops the layered structure used by the species and does not become dominated by dense invasive growth.

Manage feral cats and other introduced predators in accordance with the project pest plan, because feral cats are identified as a threat to the species.

Protect nearby dams, creeks and other drinking sites from sediment, chemical contamination, lighting and unnecessary disturbance.

Use a fire regime that protects hollow-bearing trees, loose bark, logs and other roost features, with advice from the relevant state fire and land management authority.

  • Avoid directing permanent night lighting at retained woodland edges, roost entrances or water points.
  • Keep rehabilitation watering, erosion controls and maintenance traffic away from retained roost features.
  • Replace failed plants and repair erosion or fencing promptly during the establishment period.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitor success

Set success measures for tree survival, woodland cover, retention of roost features, predator and weed control, water quality and continued bat use.

Inspect rehabilitation areas at the intervals set by the approval or rehabilitation plan, and use ultrasonic detectors, harp traps or other approved methods where monitoring bat use is required.

Compare monitoring results with the pre-clearing condition and the approved rehabilitation target, and adjust weed, fire, predator or watering controls when targets are not met.

  • Record detector files, trap effort, weather, habitat condition, roost feature condition, fauna observations and corrective actions.
  • Report monitoring outcomes to the approval authority and relevant state wildlife database where required.
  • Do not close out rehabilitation until the agreed woodland structure, habitat features and fauna management measures have been verified by the responsible ecologist.

Sources