Cordon-bleu

Identification

Cordon-bleu can mean Red-cheeked (Uraeginthus bengalus), Blue-capped (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus), or Blue-breasted (Uraeginthus angolensis). Select the correct profile after a photograph or reliable species label is available.

Male & female

Sex clues depend on species. A Red-cheeked adult male's cheek patch cannot be used as the sexing rule for Blue-capped or Blue-breasted birds. Juveniles and females need careful comparison.

Nature & behaviour

Small African blue waxbills. Their fine bills and behaviour should be reflected in species-specific food and nest guides rather than a generic finch photograph.

Cages & aviaries

Provide a quiet sheltered enclosure, visible food access and a separation option. Establish the exact species and the pair's current health before using a breeding calendar.

Diet & feeding

Confirm the previous keeper's seed, soft-food and insect routine. Cultured small insects are an important preparation topic for breeding waxbills; an accepted, species-appropriate rearing plan should be in place before hatch.

Breeding

Keep exact species, donor parentage and foster records explicit. Historical NFSS fostering reports describe variable Society Finch success with Cordon-bleu chicks; incubation by a foster is not proof that it will feed or raise them.

Compatibility

Treat pair identity, food access and territorial behaviour individually. Do not assume a third adult will be tolerated by a breeding pair. An exclusion or injury requires prompt separation and assessment.

Breeding timeline

Follow the bird, not just the calendar. Published ranges are observation windows; actual parental care and feeding decide the next step.

No species-specific dates are assigned to an unresolved common name.

Sources & image credits