Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu is so named because of its red cheeks. It is only the male that has them, however, maybe because he is embarrassed or hot who knows. They are small finches and love to hang around our Eco-pool’s filter area taking a drink from between the black-stone.
lovely examples of male and female pictured below.
Where is the Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu found?
As mentioned earlier, this little bird is a daily visitor to our eco pools filter at Footsteps.
The Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu is common and widespread across much of central and eastern Africa. Its range stretches from the West African countries of Senegal, Gambia and southwestern Mauritania east through southern Mali and beyond. Source Wikipedia
In Gambia for example this delightful bird is widespread everywhere except forest interiors.
What does it look like?
As the name suggests, there is a red patch on each cheek and sometimes this may appear orange or yellow. The adult male has brown upperparts, a pale blue breast, flanks and tail with a yellow belly. Females are much the same however not as brightly coloured and also lack the red spot on their cheeks. They don’t get embarrassed like their male counterpart it seems!. Young male and female Cordon-bleu’s resemble the female, but with blue restricted to the face and throat.
What does it feed on?
They feed mainly on grass seeds and other small seeds.
Want to know an interesting Factoid?
This delightful little bird loves to be around people for some strange unexplainable reason.🤔
How does it sound?
The Cordon-bleu has a song which is a thin high-pitched repetitious piping and sounds like Tsee Tsee