Alternative names: Blue Waxbill; Southern Cordonbleu
- Uraeginthus angolensis
Identification
12–13 cm (4¾-13 in)
The only blue waxbill in most of its range.
- Greyish-brown crown, back and upper wing
- Blue rump, uppertail-coverts and long pointed tail
- Greyish bill
Similar species
Blue-capped Cordonbleu has a pink-red bill, head of male entirely blue
Male Red-cheeked Cordonbleu has a red cheek patch.
Distribution
Africa: Bioko, southern DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, eastern South Africa and eSwatini.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 2 [1]
- U. a. angolensis:
- U. a. niassensis:
- Southern Tanzania, southern Zaire, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia to South Africa
Three other subspecies: damarensis, cyanopleurus and natalensis are not recognised by all authorities[2]
Habitat
Dry woodland, savanna and gardens.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds mainly on grass seeds taken from the ground or directly from the inflorescence. Also eats small fuit and insects.
Breeding
Monogamous and territorial, but only defends immediate vicinity of nest. The nest is a ball of dry grass with a side entrance, usually placed within 4 m of the ground in a bush or tree. Two to seven eggs are laid; incubated for 11-12 days by both sexes. Occasionally parasitised by Shaft-tailed Whydah.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533
- Sinclair I & Ryan P. 2003. Birds of Africa south of the Sahara. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0620207299
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Blue-breasted_Cordon-bleu
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
