Cordon Bleu Finch – Bloedel Conservatory, Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver, British Columbia

The Cordon Bleu finch is a delicate songbird. They are also called Cordon Bleu Waxbills, so named for their cone shaped bill that is often bright red, similar to the colour of sealing wax.

Unlike other finch species, both males and females will sing. During their courtship dance, the male will hold a piece of nesting material in its beak while singing a beautiful song to the female. All the while he jumps up and down, then back and forth on his perch. The female will follow his lead, by jumping up and down and encouraging him by taking the nest material. They will then take this material and weave a tunnel shaped nest to lay and incubate their eggs.