The Blue-capped Waxbill or Blue-headed Cordon Bleu (Uraeginthus cyanocephala) comes from tropical east Africa (Southern Somalia to central Tanzania) and measures approximately 5 inches (13 cm) in length. Sexes are easily distinguished as the males have entirely blue heads and the females may show just a little blue on the forehead. The mantle, back and wings are a light brown or russet color, the bill is bright pink or red, and the legs and feet are a fleshy-pinkish brown color. They inhabit semi arid and dry desert, thornbush, or open savannas.

Once acclimatized these waxbills become quite hardy and will stay healthy when provided with a varied finch seed diet containing mixed millets, sprouted seeds and green food. When breeding they prefer to use coconut fiber for nest construction. When chicks hatch large quantities of live food should be supplied. If insufficient live food is offered the adults will evict the chicks.

Related Articles -

• The Blue and Purple Waxbills - by Ian Hinze
• Cordon Blue, The Blue-capped - by Kerri McCoy
• Life with Oonie - by Kerri McCoy

Male Blue Capped Waxbill

Female Blue Capped Waxbill