
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Uraeginthus angolensis
Similar to the red-cheeked cordon-bleu but without the red cheek patch, this southern African estrildid is uniformly powder-blue from face to breast and rump. The female shows less blue and is paler overall.
The blue waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis) is an estrildid finch widespread in southern Africa. It is 12-13 cm long, with powder-blue face, breast, flanks and rump and pale brown upperparts. Unlike the closely related red-cheeked cordon-bleu it has no red cheek patch, which is the origin of its Japanese name. The female is paler, her blue confined to rump, tail, head and upper breast, the remaining underparts buffy brown. The call is a soft seee-seee repeated as the bird works through the lower parts of bushes. It prefers well-watered and semi-arid savanna, especially where umbrella thorn grows, and also enters natural growth in cultivated land and forest edges. Three subspecies are recognised. Both sexes build the oval grass nest, which has a short entrance tunnel at the side, and pairs often site it near a wasp nest. It is fairly commonly kept in aviaries, though captive breeding records are not numerous.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu lives 5-7 years.
The Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu grows to 12-13cm.
Origin
Savanna of southern Africa (Cabinda and the Congo to Kenya and Tanzania, south to northern South Africa)
Lifespan
5-7 years
Size
12-13cm
Temperature
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Uraeginthus angolensis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms: Fringilla angolensis
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Uraeginthus angolensis. The family Estrildidae is not listed in the CITES Appendices, so this species is not covered. The IUCN assesses it as Least Concern.
Sources: CITES Appendices (Estrildidae not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
15〜30℃
Humidity
40〜60%
Mixed seed, spray millet, greens, small livefood
It works through the lower branches of bushes, so a wide cage or aviary with plenty of branches suits it.
Peaceable and strongly gregarious, it mixes well with other small finches, though it defends the area around its nest when breeding.
It repeats a soft seee-seee contact call and the volume is low.
Both sexes build the nest, so supply plenty of grass stems and feathers. It is sensitive to cold and damp.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The average lifespan of Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu is 5-7 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu typically reaches 12-13cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu feeds on: Mixed seed, spray millet, greens, small livefood. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu varies significantly depending on variety, age, sex, and the individual animal's condition. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026