Uraeginthus cyanocephalus
The Blue-capped Cordon-bleu, Uraeginthus cyanocephalus, is a dazzling small passerine bird known for its striking plumage and melodious calls, native to arid regions of East Africa. Measuring approximately 12.5-13 cm (5 inches) in length and weighing between 8-13 grams, the male boasts a brilliant azure-blue cap that extends to the nape and upper back, contrasting sharply with its warm cinnamon-brown body and wings. A distinctive crimson patch adorns its flanks, setting it apart from its clos...
Found primarily in dry savanna, thorny scrubland, and acacia woodlands, typically at elevations from sea level up to 1,500 meters, often near human settlements and cultivated areas.
Their diet primarily consists of small grass seeds, which they glean from the ground or seedheads, supplemented by small insects such as termites, especially during the breeding season.
Blue-capped Cordon-bleus are diurnal and highly active, often foraging in small, dynamic flocks outside the breeding season, which typically break into pairs during nesting. They primarily forage on the ground or in low vegetation, meticulously gleaning tiny seeds and insects. During courtship, t...
The Blue-capped Cordon-bleu is endemic to East Africa, with a primary distribution spanning southern Somalia, eastern Ethiopia, Kenya, and northern and central Tanzania. Its range extends westward into parts of eastern Uganda, though it is considered rarer there. This species is a non-migratory r...
Least Concern
- Blue-capped Cordon-bleus are popular aviary birds due to their stunning blue plumage and pleasant songs. - Males perform an elaborate courtship dance, often holding a piece of grass in their beak as they bob and sing. - They are known to occasionally hybridize with other cordon-bleu species whe...