This 21 hectares of wooded reserve forest was closing just as we reached there. It was our last evening in La Digue, one of the most picturesque islands in Seychelles and we were not leaving until we spotted the endemic bird, the Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher. Characterised by its two long black tail feathers which can go up to a length of 30 cms, the male wears a coat of glossy black feathers tinged with a bit of blue. The female is much smaller and is reddish brown in colour.It was rather quiet as we entered the reserve. There was hardly a tourist or a naturalist around. The trees converged around us. The reserve was created primarily as a breeding habitat for the black paradise flycatcher so that the birds can nest and feed their young ones in this protected environment. The low lying forest here was a mix of takamaka and badamier trees which are preferred by the birds to nest.
As I walked around, a staffer showed us the nest and told us to wait. I spotted the female a few trees away as the staffer waved out. The baby bird, a ball of fur hopped out of the nest. The male flew in as well and both the parents took turns feeding the baby, probably with flies. It was a moment I would never forget.
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