Three Red-cheeked Cordon Bleu Fledglings!

Post by **Sally** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:25 am

Just had to share! I thought this pair (wild-caught, shipped to me last January) had eggs, then one day they tossed a newly-hatched baby, but they were still attentive to their nest, so I had my hopes up. Finally got a peek inside the nest, and there were two babies in there, down so deep in the nest that I thought it was empty. At that point, their eyes were open and they were beginning to feather out. This morning, on my second check of the cages, the parents were both chattering at me, loudly scolding me for coming near. And there sat a tiny baby on a perch!

Success!! A parent-raised RCCB!! Now I'll wait for the other one to fledge. I have a camera, at last, so learning how to use it--I'll try to get photos. I know that true success isn't till they are weaned and separated from their parents, but I am tickled to reach this stage!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:37 am

Woooohoooo, congratulations! Can't wait to see the first pics! WOW

Post by **Sally** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:35 am

Well, the second one fledged, and when I went to check them just now, there was a third!! This time I checked the nest, and it is now empty, so that is the clutch. They all still have their baby fuzz on the top of their heads.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:48 pm

How exciting for you....I hope they continue to grow and be healthy. Looking forward to the photos!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:46 pm

Cannot wait to see those photos. When you said wild caught..... where did the birds come from?

I have a pair of rccb, and they are very bonded, but have made no attempt to nest yet.

Post by **Sally** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:25 am

Here are photos of my RCCB fledglings--first day out of the nest. You can click on the photos to see a bigger picture. This is my first attempt to post photos, so please bear with me.

This is the first baby out of the nest.

This is the second baby to be banded (note the 'Grease' factor)

Also note how they still have their baby fuzz on top of their heads.

This is the last baby banded, the one that was the hardest, and it does not look happy.

Donna, when I say wild caught, I mean these are newly imported birds from Africa. I bought them from a dealer in San Diego, who shipped them to me in January. I quarantined them for February, set them up in a breeding cage in March, and they settled right in--here I have three parent-raised babies in April. These parents are keepers!!

Post by **Hilary** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:32 am

Oh Sally, that is so AWESOME!!!! Congrats!! Can't believe they raised the little buggers. What did you do for food? I have two pairs that go straight to nest and have 100% fertility (all eggs hatch), but they've tossed every single chick out of 4 or 5 clutches.

Tell all - I need to know!

Post by **Sally** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:42 am

Hilary, they have eaten a TON of mealworms. I ordered the mini size from Grubco, and they go thru literally hundreds and hundreds every day. They just eat the head and throw the rest on the cage floor--grrr! Karl Lieberman (who sold me the pair) told me to chop the mealworms in half, and then they will suck out the insides. I'll try that tomorrow.

They also have been eating white worms, homemade eggfood, Birdcare insectivorous feast, greens, and I use the EM Finch seed mix from Hermann's.

I think some of it is just this pair. They are supposed to be imports, but they were calm from day one. They settled in so quickly. While they were quarantined, the male sang beautifully, but once they started breeding, no more singing from him.

They did toss one baby, probably very newly hatched, but I was really vacuuming in the birdroom that day, and a pair of Stars also tossed two babies, so think it was my fault. I've done all the same thing with my BCCBs, and nothing, so I think I just hit the jackpot with this pair. I am sooo excited!!

Post by **Hilary** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:48 am

Yea! My RCCBs were breeding before I really figured out the # of mealies needed (which I finally got right with the firefinches). The FF still like to toss the first couple of chicks, though. Just got a good whiteworm culture going (which I'm using with my swees), so I'll have to try that as well. Mine are also all imports and are also all very calm. If only they wouldn't toss! Good to know that there's hope, though - just need to sweep up all of the mealie bodies every morning.....

Good luck with chopping them up - I'd rather just buy another bag of 10,000 then deal with that!

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:37 am

Congrats! Its really exciting! The little chicks are so adorable. Its good to know that there is hope since Im going to try again to breed mine when it gets warmer. I really hope there are no further problems from here but it seems to be that you have gotten over the most difficult part. Good luck!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:15 am

Donna, when I say wild caught, I mean these are newly imported birds from Africa. I bought them from a dealer in San Diego, who shipped them to me in January. I quarantined them for February, set them up in a breeding cage in March, and they settled right in--here I have three parent-raised babies in April. These parents are keepers!![/quote]

Thank you Sally for the clarification on that. I am still learning this....
I have never had any shipped, only bought them from breeders.
I haven't been brave enough to do that yet.

I am going on May 10th to a show and sooooo hping to find some Swees.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:10 am

congrats Sally, hope you get many more little ones

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:02 pm

Yay I found the pictures - thanks for the hint! lol Gosh they are super-adoreable!! Fuzzheads and all. You must be so proud! Congratulations Sally

Post by **Sally** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:48 pm

Here is a photo of the whole Red-cheeked Cordon Bleu family. Note that the baby farthest from the camera has its leg band on the left leg--it is recommended to be on the right leg. I didn't realize I had done the wrong leg till it was all over--too late

.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:51 pm

That's an awesome photo of the family Sally!!!

Why is it recommended the bands be on the right leg? Is that for all finches or just CB's?