UPDATE: Red Cheek Cordon Bleu

[haemma]

I have two male RCCBs. I would like to get some females at some point, but am wondering how can you tell which of the cordons are the RCCB females as opposed to the blue breasted??

[Sally]

I can't speak for the Blue-breasted CB, as I've only seen photos. In this area, you will see Red-cheeked or Blue-capped CBs. Though all hens are similar, I've noticed on my hens that the BCs tend to have a bit of blue on the top of the head, their body shape may be a bit shorter and rounder, and the beak will be fuschia colored. With the RCs, the hens have only brown on the top of the head, their body shape is a bit more streamlined and longer, and the beak will be dark at the tip. If you check out the photos at the Finch Information Center under Species, you will see the obvious difference in beak color on BCs and RCs, though it isn't always as obvious as those photos.

One other characteristic that doesn't help at all when buying them, when my Red-cheeked have eggs or babies in their nest, they have a very loud, scolding chatter-type call when you come around, like they are really telling you off. Once you hear it, it is quite unmistakeable, and I don't get that same loud scolding from my BCs when they have eggs or babies in the nest. Just something I have noticed this year, so not sure if this holds true all the time. It held true with a hen I have that was supposed to be BC, I thought she looked like RC, and then when she had babies, she chattered all the time at me! Sure enough, she is RC, as her male babies now sport red-cheek patches.

[B CAMP]

Well I have a female got at local bird fair was sold to me as young CB female I trusted them [last time] now i need male .Seems like i always need one more finch

[Sally]

Bill, you are not the first one to be sold the wrong hen with Cordon Bleus. My friend that bought the RC hen thinking she was BC also trusted the people she bought from. It is very difficult these days, as many people either don't know what they have, or they don't care, they just want to sell a bird.

I would urge anyone looking for Cordon Bleus to be very careful in choosing hens. The hens look so much alike that it is difficult to be sure all the time. Unfortunately, there are breeders out there who just don't care, and they are mixing up the bloodlines. With CBs, I would say deal with someone you trust implicitly, a breeder who puts the birds before money.

[ikhom]

Out Petsmart has Cordon Bleus. I like the birds. I’ve been thinking of buying since I can’t find any breeders in my area, but even the manager didn’t know that there are difference sp. of CB. They sell it as just CB and I don’t want to buy something that ended up being a hybrid. They also don’t sex their birds either. Here are the pictures of the birds from the store. One was a male RCCB, the rest I just don't know, staff doesn't know either.

[Sally]

I hate to knock Petsmart (after all, my very first Strawberry came from Petsmart!), but it is a shame they don't make more effort to properly ID their birds. With CBs, sexing is easy, telling the difference between species on hens is not.

Looking at the photo, I would say the male is probably young, as he doesn't have much of a cheek patch yet--it should be larger and more defined than it seems. If the others are also young, there is a chance that one that looks like a hen could turn out to be a male--young males look like hens till they have finished their adult molt. And they molt at different ages, even males from the same clutch.

The others do look like RC hens, or young males. Personally, for the price Petsmart charges, they should be able to at least provide the age, sex, and species of the birds they sell. I realize they buy in huge quantities, and their breeders can't be expected to band every bird, but their suppliers should be required to provide that information. Of course, that would only work if their suppliers were conscientious, and if Petsmart followed through. As long as they can sell birds without doing this, they won't bother.

[Chris103]

One thing I have noticed (just a personal observation ) concerning subspecies is that the BCCB's have a white patch near the vent area and the RCCB's do not. I first noticed this with my own birds and then went on a mission to look at more. Overall, I looked at about 40 Cordons (most of which were wild caught) and the white was ALWAYS on the BCCB's....it varied in size from one bird to another but again it was only present in the BC not the RC. I agree with everything Sally stated about beaks and body shape...etc. Its just tricky unless you have the two species to compare side by side. I have been wanting to take pictures of the white patches I'm talking about but my BC pair is on eggs!!! So it will have to wait.

My only question now is how to ID hybrids! Sally, I know you had an accidental clutch but I am very curious to see if you notice anything that is a dead giveaway that they are hybrids. I know you are really bummed to have bred hybrids but the chicks could turn out to be valuable learning tools for us CB breeders!

[Rayray]

here's an addy to see the difference between the females , but i am very sure there's plenty hybrids going around since the bird inport stop 7 years ago .

http://www.scapnl.com/index.php?option= ... 18&Itemid=

Ray

[Chris103]

Luckily, for the time being we can still get African Imports into the US. Although, there is a good chance that could stop any day...which scares the heck outta me If we can get a good viable population of F2 and F3 birds before the ban then we should be alright. Also, since we can still get WC birds here I hope that people try and keep the species as pure as possible. Although Im sure there are already plenty of hybrids going around here as well.

[haemma]

I acquired a little female cordon bleu. It looks alot like the male red cheeks I have, as for the body size and tail. It also has the same beak. Please take a look and tell me which you think it is.

[Sally]

Looks like an RC hen to me--note that there is no blue on top of the head, only brown, and the beak is long and dark-tipped. When she has eggs or babies, please let me know if she scolds you loudly, with a staccato-like chatter. Would like to find out if others notice this with their RCCBs.

[Sally]

haemma, I notice you have one of those mite protector things hanging on the side of your cage. There has been some negative feedback on those, and I just cannot for the life of me remember what now, but they are not used very much any more. I know, the pet stores sell them, but that doesn't mean anything. Google them, and see what you can find out.

[haemma]

Sally - I so hope it is a red cheek! I was so very excited when I found her! I will google that about the mite protectors, thank you!!