FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
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Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Red-cheeked cordon bleu finches are a species of eye-catching, powder blue birds that can mainly be found in the tropical, arid region of Africa. These birds originate from East Africa, however, their sub-species can be found in various parts of Africa. They are resident, non-migratory birds that spend their entire lives feeding, nesting and breeding in their home grounds.
This red-cheeked cordonbleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) is a favorite among pet bird owners due to their bright blue color and adorable red cheek patches which make them look like they are blushing. They are usually high-energy, social birds who enjoy lounging in flocks and interacting with other birds. They have a pleasant, twittering voice which is enjoyable to hear, and make for great bird companions.
To learn more about these beautiful blue birds, read on. For more relatable content, check out these purple finch facts and kestrel bird facts for kids.
The red-cheeked cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) is a type of non-migratory bird.
This bird belongs to the class of Aves.
The exact population of the red-cheeked cordon-bleu has not been recorded. According to the IUCN Red List, this species has been listed to be of Least Concern; we can assume that there are more than 10,000 mature individuals thriving in the wild.
Red-cheeked cordon-bleu distribution can primarily be found in sub-Saharan Africa and Hawaii. They are mostly found flocking on dry grasslands, farmland, or savannas.
The red-cheeked cordon-bleu habitat consists mostly of tropical climates. They make their homes in dry, arid regions and lay their eggs in domed nests made out of sun-baked grass and twigs, in nearby trees and bushes.
These birds are very sociable and can often be found in huge flocks. During the breeding season, they form pairs and nest together.
The average red-cheeked cordon-bleu lifespan is about 5-10 years.
The breeding season for these cordon-bleu finches appears to occur after the rainy season. Birds pair off and build dome-shaped nests together, which have a side entrance. The female then lays a clutch of about three to six eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for a period of 11-14 days, after which the chicks hatch. They stay dependent on their parents for around 17-29 days, after which they will leave the nest. These birds become mature at around six months of age, at which they can partake in breeding.
According to the IUCN Red List, the red-cheeked cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) currently does not face any major threats to its population and can be classified as being of Least Concern.
Males of these species are a brighter, more vibrant blue than females. Both sexes have a grayish-brown smattering of color on their crowns, as well as light brown backs. Their faces and underbellies have sky blue feathering, with their abdomens being yellow-brown. The most prominent feature of males are the bright red cheek spots which they sport, making it easy to distinguish them from females at a glance. They also have rosy pink beaks and legs.
Red-cheeked cordon-bleu finches, with their appealing sky blue coloring and adorable red cheek patches, are among the cutest of birds. Their tiny size and high-pitched tittering make them desirable pets.
The red-cheeked cordon-bleu communicates by singing a series of rhythmic, high-pitched notes. It also makes buzzing and squeaking sounds to relay its various moods and to drive away any intruders from its nest. Females tend to sing primarily before laying eggs, and this exercise is thought to increase the bond between her and her breeding mate.
The red-cheeked cordon-bleu is almost the same size as a sparrow, being only a fraction of an inch smaller. They measure 4.9- 5.1 in (12.5-13 cm) from wing to tail and are quite small in size when it comes to comparing birds.
The exact speed of flight of the red-cheeked cordon-bleu is unknown, however, they are quite active flyers and move swiftly from one place to another. As they are non-migratory birds, their flight patterns have not been tracked and their speed is not officially known.
Red-cheeked cordon-bleus weigh around 0.3-0.4 oz (8.9-11 g), averaging at 0.35 oz (9.9 g). They are lighter than blue jays.
There are no separate names for males and females of this species. However, we can easily distinguish males from females by identifying the red spots on their cheeks.
Baby red-cheeked cordon-bleu finches are called fledglings, chicks, or hatchlings.
The red-cheeked cordon-bleu diet is classified as mostly granivorous, as they prefer to feed on millet, grains, and other small seeds. However, they also eat termites, mealworms, and at times, beeswax.
They are peaceful birds and are not dangerous to humans. However, males can be quite territorial about their nests and become aggressive towards other males during the breeding season. Otherwise, they are cheerful, sociable birds.
Yes, these sociable finches make quite good pets and will fit in very well in any aviary. They should be kept with a couple more finches so that they don't get lonely and must be given adequate space to stretch their wings as they are quite active flyers.
A red-cheeked cordon-bleu finch nest tends to be round and dome-shaped, built-in bushes or 3-8 ft (91.4-243.8 cm) above the ground in trees. They are tightly woven from dry twine and grass to keep out intruders and have a side entrance which the nesters use to go in and out.
The red coloring on the male's cheeks may also appear orange or yellow in rare cases.
There are four subspecies of the red-cheeked cordon-bleu, which all have subtle differences regarding their appearance. These can be found in different regions in Africa.
The red-cheeked cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) has been aptly named due to the dark red patches which form on the male bird's cheeks as it matures. The female does not develop this characteristic despite looking very similar to the male, however, these red spots have become a defining feature to identify this bird.
Cordon-bleu finches mostly stand out because of their gorgeous blue feathering and vibrant red cheeks. Their high-pitched, melodious voices are soothing to listen to and they are an enjoyable addition to any aviary. These peaceful blue birds are fun to watch in action and keep as pets, as well as observe in the wild. They are quite intelligent as well, seeing how they skillfully construct woven nests with a side entrance, which keeps them safe from predators.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these European goldfinch interesting facts and chaffinch facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable red-cheeked cordon-bleu coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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