So Cute Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher

The Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher: Jewel of the Islands
Hidden among the lush canopies of the Seychelles archipelago, a rare avian gem flits through the shadows — the Seychelles paradise flycatcher. This striking and elusive bird, known locally as “Vev,” is one of the rarest birds on Earth and a powerful symbol of both the fragility and resilience of island ecosystems.
A Vision in Midnight Blue
Unlike its name might suggest to the unfamiliar, the male Seychelles paradise flycatcher isn't adorned in bright tropical hues but in deep, glossy shades of blue-black, reminiscent of the night sky. His most remarkable feature is his tail — a long, streaming ribbon that can trail up to 30 cm behind him, making his flight through the forest canopy a mesmerizing sight.
The female, in contrast, is smaller and colored in warm chestnut brown with a white belly, lacking the extravagant tail feathers but no less elegant. Both sexes have a bright blue ring around their eyes and matching bills — details that give the bird a slightly otherworldly charm.
Life in the Forest
The Seychelles paradise flycatcher is endemic to the Seychelles, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. For much of its recent history, it was found only on La Digue, one of the smaller and less developed islands in the chain. Here, it inhabits native and secondary forests, especially areas rich in takamaka, badamier, and Indian almond trees — tall, shady trees that provide insects and protection.
Insectivorous by nature, the paradise flycatcher feeds mainly on flying insects, which it expertly snatches mid-air or gleans from foliage. Its feeding style is acrobatic and elegant — an aerial ballet performed in dappled forest light.