The name T. africana often is used in place of T. ventralis. Coloration in the genus ranges from reddish brown to almost black. Tadarida is characterized by wrinkled lips, deep anterior palatal emargination, relatively thin jaws, and a third upper molar with an N -shaped occlusal pattern.
Most species have ears that are joined by a band of skin across the top of the head.
Habitat varies considerably. Colonies of the latter species may make spectacular mass exits from their caves after sunset and then fly up to 65 km to foraging areas. The diet consists mostly of small moths and beetles. Some populations of this species also make lengthy migrations. He determined that populations in California, western Arizona, and southern Arizona made only localized movements in the spring and fall, or relatively short migrations to the south or west.