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Bats in three phases
(music composition by Carlos Restrepo
text by Alejandro Valencia-Tobon)

Bat sound signals appear to be divided into three phases: search, approach and terminal phase (this latter one also called ‘feeding buzz’).

These phases are indications of the bat’s activity: in the search phase, bats seek food and, while doing this, each individual is analysing what is happening in its habitat. Encountering possible prey, bats go towards it, emitting pulses in shorter time intervals (approach phase). Finally, during the feeding buzz, bats are so close to their possible prey that pulses are emitted in very short time interval in order to obtain faster information about what is happening and thus have a successful hunt. This process is repeated over and over again.

This particular track includes ultrasonic recordings of search, approach and terminal phases of 12 species (see graph).
Cucusonic works in partnership with The University of Manchester, the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology and In Place Of War, thanks to the support of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). Additional support comes from Finnish institution Kone Foundation (Saari Residence).