Red-cheeked Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus bengalus)

Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Name	Red-cheeked Cordonbleu
Name Lat.	Uraeginthus bengalus
Family	Estrildid Finches
Family lat.	Estrildidae
Order	Perching Birds
Order lat.	Passeriformes
Origin	Africa
Climate	Subtropical - tropical
Diet	Estrilded Finch seed, veggies, insects
Keeping	Pair, group
Care Level	Easy
Reproduction	Finch nest
Life Span	5-10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	12 cm
Temperature	Room temperature
Housing	80 x 40 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	4.7"
Temperature	Room temperature
Housing	30" x 15" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The butterfly finch's range extends from Sengal to Ethiopia and southward to Tanzania and eastern Angola. They live in small groups in dry forest, dry bush savannahs and thornbush forests, always near water but also in garden hedges and field margins.

Cage size

The minimum cage size is 80 x 40 x 40 cm (L x W x H) for a pair. The cage size must not be undercut even in case of justified single keeping. For an additional 2-3 birds, assuming species compatibility, the floor space must be increased by 25%. The cage must be placed in a bright, draught-free and quiet place at a height of at least 80 cm (except aviaries), have a rectangular base and be opaque on three sides, aviaries on one side. Keeping in an aviary is preferable.

Maintenance

The floor must be covered with sand, wood granulate, bark mulch or similar material and must be cleaned regularly. At least 3 perches made of wood or branches of varying thickness and height must be installed in such a way that they can only be reached by flying and that the longest possible flight distance is created. They need a bathing opportunity as well as biotope-like hiding, sleeping and nesting possibilities. It is recommended to provide them with grasses and bushes. The room temperature must not fall below 15 °C.

Diet

The species-specific feed offer consists of mixed seeds, available in specialized trade as "exotic feed" in premium quality, supplemented with red foxtail millet, green feed (chickweed, green panicle millet, fresh grass panicles, cucumber slices, etc.), tangle grass seeds, insect feed and especially for young rearing swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats) and insect larvae.), tangle grass seeds, insect food and, especially for raising young, swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats), egg food and insect larvae, such as small, skinned, cut-up mealybug larvae, ant pupae, pinkies, small buffalos and black mosquito larvae. Charcoal, vitamine lime and shell grit are needed as digestive aids. Drinking water must always be available in birdbaths or in stable, open containers. Food and water must be offered fresh daily, and the containers must be cleaned beforehand.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The sex difference is easily recognizable. The male has red cheek patches that the female lacks and her blue is paler on her neck, chest and flanks.

They like to breed in biotope-like facilities such as basket nests (bionesters) and semi-open nest boxes of medium size, or freely in branches (e.g. broom, bamboo, reeds). Suitable nesting material is sisal, coconut fibers, long grasses as well as animal hair and feathers for padding. The clutch consists of 4-6 eggs, the incubation period is about 12 days. The breeding season is usually from October to May. When breeding, the room temperature should be at least 18 °C.

Important

They must not be kept in a round cage. An aviary is required for flock keeping

In the case of outdoor aviary keeping, they also require a heated shelter with a floor area of at least 1 m² and a height of 1.70 m, which can be visited by the birds at any time. The temperature in the shelter must not fall below 15 °C and the furnishings must correspond to those of cage keeping.

They may only be kept in pairs or in a group or flock. Socialization with other finches is possible. In rooms, including shelters, sufficient daylight or flicker-free artificial light (stroboscopic effect) corresponding to daylight must be provided. The lighting duration shall be 8-14 hours per day and the natural day-night rhythm shall be observed. Adequate indoor climate shall be provided. The health condition of the birds shall be checked daily

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Othmar Sieberer; Image: Othmar Sieberer

Source: BMELV (1995): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Kleinvögeln; BIELFELD (1996): Das Prachtfinken-Buch, Verlag Eugen Ulmer; GRUMMT & STREHLOW (2009): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Vögel, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF