I'm not a bird person, have never owned one, so bare with me here! :-)

My husband has feeders set up and is trying to attrach finchs, quite successfully. Today he spotted what he is 99% sure was a Blue-breasted Cordon Bleu Waxbill. Problem being that we don't live in Africa :-P How common are these as pets? Is it likely that it is an escaped pet? Are there any other midwestern birds that closely resemble the Blue-breasted Cordon Bleu Waxbill that he may have misidentified?

Well - its possible that one escaped & is going to your feeder. I don't know if there are any breeders in your area or not. Unfortunately some people will decide to let a bird go (just as they might take a dog or cat to the pound) when they don't want them anymore or when they're going on vacation.

I don't know the wild birds in your area, so I can't really help you decide if he saw what he thought he saw - or if there is a bird native to there that looks much the same. Lisa in the birding forum, might be able to help you out with that part of the question.

So - the short answer to your question is "I don't know" - sorry.

Hey - Just curious... Have ya'll seen this bird again? And where are you located (general region info - climate info)? I know that I have seen finches at times that I know are not native to the US, and one that actually has adopted the daughters of my neighbors as they feed it. We are hoping to eventually recapture it as it is quite alone and there are LOTS of cats in the neighborhood. Curious if this little finch decided to hang around your home and if it can handle your climate? I am in Houston, TX - so I know this climate is friendly to African waxbills. The bird that is around here appears to be a grass finch. Would love to know that your little blue visitor is hanging around and safe - and as long as your husband feeds it, that little bird has the biggest aviary ever! :rolling: