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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Cactus fruits
- Grass seeds
- Beetles
Predators
- Hawks
- Snakes
- Feral cats
ThreatsHabitat loss and illegal capture for the pet trade
HabitatsArid scrublands, thorny woodlands, and dry coastal shrub
Life span5 to 8 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- SpeciesCardinalis phoeniceus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for the male's brilliant rose-red body and uniquely long, forward-curving crest.
- Support conservation
- Never share precise nesting locations online and report any trapping activity to local authorities.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Look-alike (c) David F. Belmonte, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David F. Belmonte · cc-by
Close Relative Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Diana Fuentes, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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