These cute yet noisy flying mammals are a common sight, in huge numbers along the Daintree River.

Spectacled flying fox - Pteropus conspicillatus flying near the Daintree River - Photo by Alex Pawlow

Being nocturnal, they roost in trees, in the thousands throughout the day, and rise at evening to flock to areas where there is food.

They love fruit and flowers (mainly eucalyptus and syzygium) as well as figs and other fruit as available. They will move in on mass when the food is on offer and can make quite a lot of mess and noise whilst they feast.

A stunning spectacle, is watching them ly off from there roost where an thousands travel and almost make a continual cloud for half an hour or more, such is their numbers.

Often, during the day, a good way to see them is on a river cruise on the Daintree River, especially if you can time it for the evening.