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| Distribution |
In NC, it occurs throughout the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, and in the lower portions of the mountains; it appears to be absent from the middle and higher elevations of the mountains.
Occurs mainly in the southeastern portion of the United States, north to NJ and IA, and south to the Gulf Coast and Mexico. |
| Abundance |
One of the more numerous bats in the state, generally common to possibly abundant in the Coastal Plain, fairly common to perhaps common in the Piedmont (at least formerly), but relatively rare in the mountains, known from just five counties in that province. This status is for the summer only. It was originally thought (as in Lee et al. 1982) that perhaps the entire breeding population migrated out of the state. However, very recent wintertime mist-netting efforts in the eastern parts of the Coastal Plain have captured quite a few Evening Bats. It is thus clear that, at least in part or much of the Coastal Plain, the species occurs routinely and in some numbers in the winter. However, are these winter bats resident there? Are they migrants from farther north or west? Do they hibernate in parts of the state in winter? Do they occur in winter in the western Coastal Plain and Piedmont? Mist-netting in the lower half of the Piedmont in recent years has documented current presence in many counties, but all or nearly all captures are from the warmer months only. Thus, much more is to be learned about its seasonal range and movements in the state. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Formerly considered to be highly migratory, considered to leave NC in fall and return in the spring. Lee et al. (1982) state "Earliest spring record 22 March; latest fall record 15 September". However, there are now many winter records, and thus its winter status is no longer "unknown"; it definitely is present in some numbers in the Coastal Plain all winter. See the "Abundance" section for more details. |
| Habitat |
Generally found in a variety of forests/woodlands, but forages over open areas as well as over forests. It roosts both inside buildings and in hollow trees and beneath bark, but it does not roost in caves or mines. Apparently it does not roost inside vegetation (clumps of leaves, etc.). |
| Behavior |
It is somewhat colonial in roosting, such as inside buildings. It feeds at night in a rather slow flight. |
| Comments |
This species is not as well known as the Red Bat, despite its abundance, in part because if seen in flight just before dark it might be difficult to separate from other species. However, owing to recent mist-netting efforts in the Coastal Plain and parts of the other two provinces, we are learning much more about this and many other bats. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S5 |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G5 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
Nycticeius humeralis humeralis |
| other_comName |
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| synonym |
Nycteceius humeralis |
