Red cheeked cordon bleus

[FinchNerd]

I saw a red cheeked cordon bleu at the pet store the other day and fell in love with the little guy at first sight. If I'd had the money I might have come home with a new fid...but I was broke and only there to get Aristotle and Socrates some seed. Probably for the best, buying fids on an impulse is not generally a good idea.

Nevertheless it might be edging its way up my wish list...I was wondering if those of you out there who have experiences with these would tell me about them. The only finches I've ever owned are zebra finches. How different are they from zebs?

[L in Ontario]

From my limited experience with RCCB's - I find them much quieter than Zebras and much more difficult to breed. If conditions are not perfect they may toss their babies. RCCB's do require live food when breeding... and will not tolerate any nest checking.

[Sally]

One of my favorites! Here is a link to the species information on them: http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... axbill.php

They are delightful, colorful little birds, with a pretty song (both males and females can sing). They are passive, getting along well with other passive species. Your two Zebras would probably pick on a lone bird, or even a pair--too pushy to share a cage. Males cannot be kept with other males if any females are present, but I now have 7 males together with no females with no problems.

They aren't as easy to breed, they need lots of privacy supplied with some plastic plants in their cage. Mine use the hooded wicker nests, lining them with coco fiber and white feathers. Unless you can get them to accept eggfood as their main source of protein, you will have to provide live mealworms to get them to raise babies. I have two pairs sitting now, so I'll see if they toss. Red-cheeked have a habit of scolding me with a loud chattering voice when I approach their cage while they have eggs or babies--my Blue-capped don't do this.

You will love the RCCBs!

[FinchNerd]

Thanks guys, they sound like cool little birdies. I was just curious about them. I don't plan on getting any new fids for quite a while. But if and when I do, they'll definitely be a possibility!