Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu

Uraeginthus bengalus

The red-cheeked cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) is a tiny African estrildid finch, admired for powder-blue underparts, warm brown upperparts, and the male's round red cheek patches. It inhabits dry savanna, scrub, farmland edges, and village areas across parts of sub-Saharan Africa, often feeding on small grass seeds near the ground. Females lack the bright cheek spot, which helps keepers sex mature birds, though age, condition, and regional variation can make quick identification less certain.

Aviary keepers usually house red-cheeked cordon-bleus in warm, quiet setups with fine seed mixes, greens, grit, and small live foods during breeding. They are delicate compared with hardier finches, so drafts, crowding, and abrupt diet changes can cause losses. Pairs often prefer planted cover and fine nesting material, and chicks may need tiny insects or egg food even when adults eat mostly seed outside the breeding season. Because wild-caught finches have historically appeared in trade, buyers should favor healthy captive-bred birds and keep clear notes on sex, age, pairing, and breeding results.