Perching Bat

Perching bats (Monodactylopteridae), also known as one-fingered bats, are a family of bats that are closely related to fruit bats, as they evolved from the same ancestors. Unlike most other bats, they have perching bird-like feet, hence their names, to help them sit and stand on branches and wires without the need to use their wings to do so. As their names "one-fingered bats" suggests, almost all have one finger on each of their wings (either losing other fingers or their fingers merged to one), but one species, the paloma bat (Dichilus major), has one little finger remaining on its wings, not just one big finger. They are all omnivorous and feed mainly on fruits, seeds, insects, fish, frogs, small reptiles, small birds, eggs, smaller mammals, and carrion. All known species of perching bats are listed as Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and their ability to tolerate most human activities, including being able to adapt to life in the cities and suburbs.