FINCHforum

My three mystery cordon blue babies are weaned and were hatched around the beginning of September. Could red-cheeks still be coming or is it well past that date?

....also is there a sub forum for cordon blue questions.... or is the sub forum just the pictures of information under finch information center?

Red cheeks will not show up until the first adult molt takes place -- about the same time their beaks turn from black to light pink/tan. Probably 3-4 months after weaning -- I'll have to pay attention next time.

However, if your RCCB's have LARGE red patches, you can usually see the outline of the red on the males very young.

Thanks so much Anna!

I really read a lot without finding out that information!! If you know of any good books on cordon blues I'd love to here about them.

There are not any just specifically about Cordon's but I think under Resources there is supposed to be a very good finch book (about all different kinds). Only thing is it runs about $150.00

When I get some spare funds I might pop for it -- but not sure if it would contain info that specific.

You like RCCB's? They were my first finch -- I was totally smitten with their sky blue bellies! I love their proud attitude and the sounds they make -- plus their dancing and singing. Just a gorgeous little bird altogether! I've always thought that my RCCB's are among my smartest finches.

Absolutely my favorite. I'm rather a fanatic about blue. Always had a blue parakeet throughout my life. But it was spotting a cordon blue in the Petsmart when I moved to Florida that has made me a finch fanatic in the last three years. Had never seen one before.

Of course they have been the most difficult for me to raise but I'm very excited that a pair has had three babies, even if they turn out to be hybrids!

My rccb juvenile is now three months old (13 weeks to be exact) and has been molting this week with the red cheeks finally starting to develop. I couldn't believe it, as I thought he was a she up until now. Also, he has been singing up a storm this week, as he molts.

Red checks CB are my favorite finch....I love the song the with the twig... so cute.

Gorgeous pair, Luis!

lovely birds Luis. Hope my new little fledgling looks like them! Since I can't seem to get my sister over here with her camera, tomorrow I'll try to take and post a shot of the fledgling with my phone....... my hybrids move around so fast all I get is a blur when I try to take their pics but the fledgling is nice and still.

But no sign of red cheeks on my three hybrids; but they only fledged September 11.

well another failed attempt at photography
[/img][/img]

I would wait until the fledgling is 2-3 months old. That is when they start to molt into their adult feathers.