paradise flycatcher | watercolour

The African Paradise Flycatcher is a true jewel of the bush, a flash of warm chestnut and deep blue weaving through riverine thickets. Outside breeding season it’s already beautiful, but when the males enter breeding mode they become extraordinary. Their tail feathers grow into long, flowing chestnut streamers that trail behind them as they dart between branches. These elegant tails are more than just decoration — they’re a signal of strength and agility. Males show them off in graceful, fluttering flights to win over a female. Once paired, both birds share the work at their tiny, neat nest, usually tucked into a forked branch well hidden from predators. Watching them snatch insects mid-air and return to the nest with those long tails floating behind is like watching a ribbon dance through the trees. The life of the African Paradise Flycatcher is one of beauty, movement, and constant gentle devotion — a small but unforgettable presence in Africa’s riverine forests.