These highly intelligent, and very social animals which are found in many camps throughout New South Wales, southern Queensland, and Victoria, feed primarily on eucalypt blossum and rainforest fruits.

Nocturnal feeders, with a large wingspan of up to 1 metre, a grey head, and a distinct orange collar, these animals range as far as 50 km each night in search of food, returning to camp in the early hours of the morning.

Despite the colonies in each camp numbering many thousands, the species appears to be in steep decline up and down the east coast, which prompted consideration for the species to be listed as vulnerable.

In May 2001 this species was listed as vulnerable to extinction on schedule 2 of the act in NSW. A recovery plan is to be prepared by 2006.