Species · GBIF taxon 2490404
Vermilion Cardinal
Cardinalis phoeniceusAlso known as Venezuelan Cardinal
Vermilion cardinals are striking desert-adapted songbirds, with males sporting an intense, almost glowing rose-red plumage and an elongated, erect crest that curves forward. They inhabit arid scrublands and thorny woodlands of northern South America, where they forage close to the ground for seeds and insects. Their sweet, whistling songs carry far across the dry landscapes, especially during the early morning hours.
ColorfulDesert-DwellingSongbird
Licensed referenceFélix Uribe from Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Seeds, fruits, and small insects
- family
- Cardinalidae
- threats
- Habitat loss and illegal capture for the pet trade
- life Span
- 5 to 8 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Highly sought after for the illegal cage-bird trade, causing localized population declines.
Never share precise nesting locations online and report any trapping activity to local authorities.- Listen for whistles: Their clear, melodious whistling calls are the easiest way to locate them in dense thorny brush.
- Scan fence lines: They frequently perch on exposed branches or fence posts early in the morning to sun themselves.
- Respect nesting sites: Keep a respectful distance during the breeding season to avoid causing the parents to abandon their nest.