Vermilion Cardinal

Overview

The vermilion cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) is a bird species in the family Cardinalidae found in Colombia and Venezuela. It is considered a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, although its restricted range and vulnerability to the pet trade are noted.

Identification

• Males are almost entirely red, ranging from bright to dusky, while females have a gray crown with elongated red feathers and brownish-gray heads marked with white patches near the bill. Both sexes possess a heavy gray bill with a narrow black band around the lower part.
• The bird is 19 cm (7.5 in) long and features long feathers on the crown that are typically erect.
• The song is described as a pleasant "cheer o-weet-toweet toweet toweet" and the call as a "chip".

Habitat

It inhabits semi-arid scrublands characterised by cactus and spiny legumes, generally found from sea level to 300 m (980 ft), though recorded as high as 700 m (2,300 ft) in Lara. Its distribution consists of two disjunct areas: one spanning from the Guajira Peninsula of northeastern Colombia into northern Venezuela as far as Lara state, and another in eastern Venezuela from Anzoátegui state to Sucre state, including Margarita Island.

Diet

The vermilion cardinal forages singly, in pairs, or in small groups through low vegetation. Its diet consists of invertebrates, fleshy fruits, and seeds.

Did you know?

Despite being assessed as Least Concern, the species is common in much of its range, but capture for the pet trade in some locations undoubtedly has a significant negative effect on populations. Breeding data is limited, with only six nests described, all from Margarita Island, where nesting occurs between June and early August.