Carnivory in the greater noctule bat ( Nyctalus lasiopterus ) in Italy

An analysis of 59 droppings of the greater noctule Nyctalus lasiopterus , collected either during direct handling of the bat or from the bat‐boxes used as shelters in the Pian di Novello Natural Reserve (Tuscany, Italy), has shown that it is a partial carnivore. The content of the samples, collected in October and November of 1995 and in September and October of 1996 and 1997, consisted mainly of bird feathers identified as those of the robin Erithacus rubecula and the blue tit Parus caeruleus . The presence of feathers during the 3 consecutive years of the study period confirms that the diet of the greater noctule in this area is not based exclusively on arthropods as was previously suggested.