Help me ID this cordon bleu - Got myself a real BCCB

[mike]

Well, my feathered-friend-loving friends,
I returned my bird to the store. They had just got more "RCCBs" in. I checked them out and found this gal. She was large, very blue, had a short beak, AND she had a little blue on her head. She is definitely a blue-cap; no doubt about it.



When I returned the other hen, even the store name-sake told me she was a red-cheek. We both determined the new hen is a blue-cap. The other possibility is a blue-breast but she's much too big to be a blue-breast.

The picture isn't good but she's a beauty. Unfortunately I think there might be something wrong with her because she keeps her mouth slightly open sometimes, and it's more than just being exhausted from capture because she was doing it in the store, too. SHe she was pretty enough that I wanted her anyway.

This hen is in quarantine, unlike the other, because I want to see if the open-mouth problem is just temporary. She's very robust, though.

She sat quietly in the cage when I took her out then all of a sudden she made loud alarm calls which were echoed by the blue-breasts. It was neat and weird, at the same time.

I'm happy now but still a little unsure about why she opens her mouth so much. It closes properly so I'll just have to wait and see. Maybe someone knows what might be wrong.

[lovemyfinch]

She is a pretty little thing Mike. I'm hoping along with you that she will be fine.

[Nagdabit]

Unfortunately I think there might be something wrong with her because she keeps her mouth slightly open sometimes, and it's more than just being exhausted from capture because she was doing it in the store, too. SHe she was pretty enough that I wanted her anyway.

This hen is in quarantine, unlike the other, because I want to see if the open-mouth problem is just temporary. She's very robust, though.

When we switch birds around they sometimes react that way. I would think it's just stress, but definitely keep an eye on her. Although I've seen some females sit with their beaks open while in the nest, so perhaps it's an egg issue. Keep in her in quarantine, being able to hear the other birds will help put her at ease.

[L in Ontario]

Okay now I understand. Congrats on getting 'the real thing' now. They are pretty easy to mix up.

Did you get anything from CC's today or did you just visit. I'd love to go down there but it's sooooo far from Barrie! I don't mind going to Toronto (north end) especially since I work there but to actually go downtown TO - I'll pass if I can help it. Did CC's have any Strawberries - I might go down for those!

[mike]

I got your PM, Liz but since my post makes more sense than the PM I didn't respond.

I'm afraid to say anything but I will anyway. I don't know the difference between fire finches and strawberry finches but the one I saw was red with lots of white spots. It reminded me of a star finch. If you call CC tomorrow (11-5pm) and find out if they are strawberries I'll pick them them up and you can meet me part way (or at Vince's) on Saturday. Barrie is too far I'll just need to get to CC.

I didn't get anything, I was just visiting. They had lots of orange-cheeks which I wanted but since I didn't know how to sex them then, I didn't bother. Since I know to do it now, if the mood strikes I may go tomorrow or on the weekend, or I may just forget about it.

The trip down isn't bad. I guess it is "downtown" but it doesn't feel like it. The streets aren't jammed up with downtown traffic. Instead, it's more like "old Toronto" sort of traffic where there are no crazy people running into the street but you need to drive in the inside (left-most) lane because everyone is parked on the right. But I might be biased because I live here. I still laugh when people are afraid they'll get lost driving through Toronto on the 401. I mean, every exit is named - it can't get much easier - but apparently, I'm wrong and it's scary

The female doesn't seem to gape anymore - I'm guessing it was the hot car ride home (I have no A/C) - but I'll keep an eye on her.

[L in Ontario]

Glad to hear the female is not mouth-breathing any more or not as much. It probably was the heat and stress of moving - it can happen. Glad to hear you have her in quarantine too. Better safe than using hindsight.

Thanks for the offer of picking up Strawberries at CC's. Let me know when you plan to go down again and I'll call just before you go. I'm not desparate for one but as I do have 2 males and a female Strawberry I would like another female to even things out if one was available and only IF you're are going over to CC's anyway. You don't need to make a special trip on my behalf, Mike. So if you're not planning on going over - don't worry about it.

[mike]

Glad to hear the female is not mouth-breathing any more or not as much. It probably was the heat and stress of moving - it can happen. Glad to hear you have her in quarantine too. Better safe than using hindsight.

Thanks for the offer of picking up Strawberries at CC's. Let me know when you plan to go down again and I'll call just before you go. I'm not desparate for one but as I do have 2 males and a female Strawberry I would like another female to even things out if one was available and only IF you're are going over to CC's anyway. You don't need to make a special trip on my behalf, Mike. So if you're not planning on going over - don't worry about it.

I'll tell you what. I might go there after lunch tomorrow. If you read this before then and you want a female, let me know via PM, and how much you are willing to pay, and I will ask them when and if I go. I can hold on to her as long as you need since I have the empty cages for the time being. If you don't need her or you need time to think longer, no problem. I will still ask when I'm there but I won't pick anything up.

Don't worry about the trip for me. It only takes about 20 minutes to get there and even though I don't live downtown, it's a very easy drive; no highway, 8 turns. And I like visiting stores with lots of animals to look at.