Bat

Bat
Allies
Enemies
First Appearance	Silverwing
Last Appearance	Darkwing

Flying Fox, one of the species in the books.

A False Vampire Bat, the basis for the Vampyrum Spectrum.

A Silver-Haired bat, which Silverwings are based from.

An Eastern Red Bat, the basis for Brightwings.

'Bats are the only known mammals with the ability to fly. They can use an ability called echolocation to help track down prey. There are many types of bats. The Latin name for bat is "Chiroptera". The Latin origin is what most likely inspired Kenneth Oppel to name his fictional prehistoric bats, Chiropters.

In Silverwing Books

In Kenneth Oppel's Silverwing books, his protagonists and antagonists are bats, indeed the entire series is centered around bats, as well aas their interactions with each other and other species.

List of Bat Species in the Silverwing Books

H=== Silverwings ===

• Shade - a newborn runt in Silverwing, son of Ariel and Cassiel, father of Griffin, mate of Marina. Glimpsed the sun on a dare, resulting in the burning of Tree Haven. Separated from his colony during the migration to Hibernaculum. Encounters cannibal bats, who he outwits, ultimately allowing him to rejoin his colony. Seeks his father at a human building where he is taken captive by the humans and weaponized as a tool of their war. Brought to the jungle and survives, joins a splintered group of survivors. Plots a search and rescue mission to save those captured by the cannibal bats to be used as sacrifices. Averts a war between the bats and the owls. Ventures into the Underworld to save his son. Sacrifices himself in order to allow his son to return to the realm of the living.
• Chinook - a prospective newborn in Silverwing, son of Plato and Isis. Dared to glimpse the sun, but flees. Joins a group of more than a dozen Silverwings to search for Cassiel Silverwing. Is taken by humans to be used as a weapon in their war, only to be saved by Shade. Taken by cannibal bats to be utilized as a sacrifice during a solar eclipse, only to be saved by Shade again. Is orphaned and subsequently adopted by Ariel. Chosen as the first messenger to return to Tree Haven upon the birth of the newborns in Firewing.
• Penumbra - a newborn in Silverwing who is friends with Chinook. Later helps Marina search for Griffin in Firewing.
• Yara - a newborn in Silverwing who is friends with Chinook.
• Osric - a newborn in Silverwing who is friends with Chinook.
• Jarod - a newborn in Silverwind who is friends with and idolizes Chinook.
• Roma - mother of Luna.
• Vikram - one of the messengers chosen to return to Tree Haven to inspect the progress of the newborns in Firewing.
• Urriel - one of the messengers chosen to return to Tree Haven to inspect the progress of the newborns in Firewing.
• Cirrus - one of the messengers chosen to return to Tree Haven to inspect the progress of the newborns in Firewing.
• Laertes - one of the messengers chosen to return to Tree Haven to inspect the progress of the newborns in Firewing.
• Windsling - one of over a dozen Silverwings to join the search for Cassiel, upon learning of the true horrors awaiting the bats in the human building he escapes alongside Marina, Ariel, and Frieda. When Hibernaculum is seized by the Owls, Windsling ventures to Bridge City with the survivors.
• Ariel - mother of Shade, mate of Cassiel. Believed Cassiel to have been killed by the owls. Rescues Shade from being executed by an owl after he glimpses the sun, resulting in the burning of Tree Haven. Believed Shade had died during a storm on the migration to Hibernaculum. Reunited with Shade and learns Cassiel is alive. One of over a dozen Silverwings to seek Cassiel at the human building. Leaves upon realizing the true nature of the building and journeys to Bridge City. Joins a convoy of Rats to venture to the jungle in order to rescue Shade. Is captured by the cannibal bats during the rescue mission to liberate the sacrifices, intended to be used as a sacrifice during the eclipse herself only to be saved by Shade. Promoted to elder status.
• Cassiel - banded by the humans in the Spring. Obsessed with Nocturna's Promise and the role the humans might play in it. Disappears after investigating a human building and getting trapped. One of many bats taken from the artificial forest and weaponized as a tool of the humans' war. Survives and leads a splintered colony of other survivors in the jungle. Is taken by the cannibal bats and intended to be utilized as a sacrifice during the solar eclipse. Rescued by Shade during the eclipse and returned home.
• Plato - father of Chinook, mate of Isis. Joined a group of over a dozen bats to search for Cassiel in the human building. Taken by the humans and made into a tool of their war. Died sometime after being dropped into the jungle.
• Isis - mother of Chinook, mate of Plato. Joined a group of over a dozen bats to search for Cassiel in the human building. Taken by the humans and made into a tool of their war. Died sometime after being dropped into the jungle.
• Mercury - messenger to the female elders of the Silverwing colony and the sole adult male to remain with the females year round. Brought Ariel and Shade to meet the elders after Shade glimpsed the sun. Brought news of the owls approaching Tree Haven with fire in response to Shade's actions.
• Hanael - banded in the Spring, friend of Icarus and Cassiel, the first to learn of the human building. Hanael was trapped in the human building and taken to be weaponized as a tool of the humans' war. He likely died after being dropped in the jungle.
• Icarus - banded in the Spring, one of few to have survived - fervent hater of owls. Last to see Cassiel, leads a group of over a dozen Silverwings to search for Cassiel at the human building. Is taken by the humans and weaponized as a tool of their war. Died sometime after being dropped into the jungle.
• Ishmael - brother to Ramiel, trapped in the human building sometime prior to Silverwing. Taken by the humans to be weaponized as a tool of their war. Survived being deposited into the jungle and joined a splintered colony of survivors lead by Cassiel. Taken by the cannibal bats to be used as a sacrifice during the solar eclipse. Escaped captivity and returned to warn the colony of the cannibals plot. Joined Shade in a search and rescue mission to liberate the surviving prisoners. Was killed by Voxzaco during the eclipse after saving his brother.
• Ramiel - brother to Ishmael, trapped in the human building sometime prior to Silverwing. Taken by the humans to be weaponized as a tool of their war. Survived being deposited into the jungle and joined a splintered colony of survivors lead by Cassiel. Taken by the cannibal bats to be used as a sacrifice during the solar eclipse. Saved by Ishmael, who died in the process of doing so.
• Frieda - head elder of the Silverwing colony. Saw the sun in her youth, campaigned for rebellion fifteen years prior to Silverwing. Found commonality with Shade after he glimpsed the sun and spoke out against the law. Helped Shade discover his talents, taught him of the war between the birds and the beasts and Nocturna's promise. Defended Shade against Brutus, resulting in the burning of Tree Haven. Believed Shade to have died in a storm during the migration to Hibernaculum. Joined group of more than a dozen bats in searching the human building for Cassiel after Shade's return. Escaped with Ariel and Marina after learning of the horrifying intent of the human's experiments. Journeyed with them to Bridge City to make a case before the council of elders in relation to the coming war between the birds and the bats. Remained here to serve her role to the council. Died after peace was made with the owls.
• Bathsheba - an elder of the Silverwing colony. Strongly believed in the safety provided by obeying the law and expressed no interest whatsoever in the repeal of said law. Campaigned strongly for Shade's execution at the hand of General Brutus when he came to Tree Haven demanding justice.
• Lucretia - head elder of the Silverwing colony following Frieda's death. Told Shade the legends of the Underworld and dangers that lay before him should he decide to enter the crevice opened beneath Tree Haven in order to search for his son.
• Aurora - an elder of the Silverwing colony.
• Orion - an elder of the Silverwing colony. Chose the messengers meant to return to Tree Haven in order to inspect the newborns. Allowed Shade to travel with the four he'd selected, knowing that Shade would have gone with or without his consent.
• Luna - newborn, daughter of Roma, friend of Griffin. Died after Griffin dropped fire on her during a failed attempt to steal fire from the owls. Reunited in the Underworld, where she joined Griffin during his mission to The Tree. Used Shade's sacrifice to regain her life force alongside Griffin and returned to Tree Haven through The Tree to reunite with her mother.
• Falstaff - newborn, friend of Luna.
• Rowan - newborn, friend of Luna.
• Skye - newborn, friend of Luna.
• A few banded Silverwings joined Scirocco's cult, believing themselves to be destined to become humans as part of Nocturna's Promise. After Shade and Marina's departure, they were all devoured by the likes of Goth and Throbb.
• An unnamed male banded Silverwing was one of over a dozen to join the search for Cassiel. It is unclear whether or not he was one of the Silverwings to escape the human building after its true nature was revealed or not.
• An unnamed male Silverwing was trapped in the human building and later taken by the humans to be weaponized as a tool of their war. He would come to survive being dropped into the jungle and join the splintered colony of survivors of Statue Haven, acting as one of its weapon-wielding guards.

Brightwings

• Marina
• Penelope - a banded female Brightwing who was exiled from her colony three years prior to Silverwing. Joined Scirocco's cult after he used his echo-projection to trick Penelope into believing that banded bats were chosen to become human as part of Nocturna's Promise. Found kinship with Marina, though she ultimately left with Shade, leaving Penelope and the rest of Scirocco's cult to be devoured by Goth and Throbb shortly thereafter.
• An unnamed female Brightwing was trapped in the human building and later taken by the humans to be weaponized as a tool of their war. She was placed into the same container as Shade and Chinook. She died sometime after being dropped into the jungle.
• An unnamed male Brightwing was trapped in the human building and later taken by the humans to be weaponized as a tool of their war. He would come to survive being dropped into the jungle and join the splintered colony of survivors of Statue Haven, acting as one of its weapon-wielding guards.

Graywings

• Achilles - a Graywing elder. Once having sought to return to the sun, Achilles led the rebellion against the owls with Frieda fifteen years prior to Silverwing. Frieda later reunited with her old friend after she, Ariel, Marina, Windsling and a few other Silverwings escaped the human building, only to learn from Achilles that Hibernaculum had been seized by the owls. Traveled to Bridge City to prepare for war with the owls, which ultimately led to peace between the two parties.
• Ursa - trapped in the human building and later taken by the humans to be weaponized as a tool of their war. She died sometime after being dropped into the jungle.
• An unnamed Graywing messenger who met Shade and Marina as they made it to the mainland. He invited Shade to join the Graywings in their migration in hope of reconnecting with Shade's colony, but rejected Marina because of her band.
• Several banded Graywings joined Scirocco's cult, believing themselves to be destined to become humans as part of Nocturna's Promise. After Shade and Marina's departure, they were all devoured by the likes of Goth and Throbb.

Long Ears

• Scirocco - a banded Long Ear who led a cult of dejected banded bats in an abandoned cabin in the mountains near Hibernaculum. Was a firm believer in Nocturna's promise. Suggested that those with a band were chosen to become human, while those without would be left to die in the night. Used echo-projection to trick others into following him. After Shade and Marina left, Scirocco and the entirety of his cult were devoured by Goth and Throbb.
• An unnamed banded Long Ear was trapped in the human building and later taken by the humans to be weaponized as a tool of their war. He was placed into the same container as Shade and Chinook, expressing faith in Nocturna's promise and doubt in Shade. He died sometime after being dropped into the jungle.

Hoary

• Arcadia

Freetails

• Halo

Mastiffs

• Caliban

Vampyrum Spectrum

• Goth
• Throbb
• Voxzaco
• Phoenix

Foxwings

• Java

Others

• Griffin
• Dante
• Hermes - a bat of unknown species trapped in the human building and eventually kidnapped by the humans to be weaponized as a tool in their war. Survived being dropped into the jungle and joined a splintered colony of survivors led by Cassiel. Taken prisoner by the cannibal bats. Sacrificed to Zotz by Goth.
• Lydia - a bat of unknown species trapped in the human building and eventually kidnapped by the humans to be weaponized as a tool in their war. Survived being dropped into the jungle and joined a splintered colony of survivors led by Cassiel. Taken prisoner by the cannibal bats. It is unknown if she survived.
• Monsoon - a bat of unknown species trapped in the human building and eventually kidnapped by the humans to be weaponized as a tool in their war. Survived being dropped into the jungle and joined a splintered colony of survivors led by Cassiel. Taken prisoner by the cannibal bats. It is unknown if he survived.
• Socrates - a bat of unknown species trapped in the human building and eventually kidnapped by the humans to be weaponized as a tool in their war. Survived being dropped into the jungle and joined a splintered colony of survivors led by Cassiel. Taken prisoner by the cannibal bats. It is unknown if he survived.

External links

• Bat Conservation Website
• Bat on Wikipedia