How to identify the Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu

To correctly identify the Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

12-13 cm

Wingspan

15-17 cm

Weight

8-12 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Males are predominantly sky-blue on the head, nape, back, and rump, with a pale brown belly and flanks. A prominent crimson-red patch adorns each cheek. The wings are brownish-grey, and the tail is blue. Females are duller, lacking the red cheek patches and having less extensive blue plumage, often appearing more brownish-grey on the back and head with a blue wash. Both sexes have a pale blue supercilium (eyebrow stripe).

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Small, conical, and pointed, adapted for cracking seeds. The bill is typically pinkish-red.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown, surrounded by a pale blue orbital ring.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Pinkish-brown to reddish-brown.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The vivid blue plumage combined with the male's red cheek patches are the most distinctive features. The small size and conical bill are also characteristic.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles are duller than adults, with a predominantly brownish-grey plumage and only a faint blue wash on the rump and tail. They lack the red cheek patches and have a blackish bill that gradually turns pinkish-red with maturity.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent throughout the year, though wear and tear can make colors appear slightly duller over time.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Pronounced. Males have bright red cheek patches and more extensive, vibrant blue plumage. Females lack the red cheek patches and have duller, less extensive blue coloration, often appearing more brownish overall.

Key field marks

• Male Plumage. Look for the striking sky-blue head, back, and rump, combined with the unmistakable crimson-red cheek patches. The pinkish-red bill is also a good indicator.
• Female Plumage. Identify females by their duller blue coloration, more brownish-grey head and back, and the complete absence of red cheek patches. They still retain a blue wash on the rump and tail and a pale blue supercilium.
• Bill Color. Both sexes have a distinctive pinkish-red, conical bill, which helps distinguish them from some other small finches.
• Habitat. Often found in open, dry habitats with scattered bushes and trees, and frequently in human-modified environments like gardens and cultivated fields.
• Vocalizations. Listen for their soft, high-pitched warbling song and characteristic 'tsip' contact calls.

Explore the Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu