The garish scarlet bird possesses a striking appearance with its vibrant red plumage and captivating features.
Meet the Vermillion Cardinal:
The vermilion cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) belongs to the Cardinalidae family, which includes cardinals and cardinal grosbeaks. In terms of its physical description, the vermilion cardinal measures around 19 cm (7.5 in) in length. Both males and females possess elongated feathers on their crown, typically held erect. The male displays vibrant red plumage, with shades ranging from intensely bright to slightly dusky. It features a slender black band encircling the lower portion of its robust gray bill.
“vermilion cardinal” by Guy Babineau is marked with CC0 1.0.
In contrast, the female’s crown is gray, and its elongated feathers are red, while the remaining head area appears brownish gray with white patches near the bill. The upperparts transition from grayish brown to brown on the rump, and the underparts exhibit a buffy cinnamon hue.
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Juveniles share similarities with females but with additional and richer shades of brown.
This striking bird species is found in Colombι̇a and Venezuela, existing as a singular type within its genus. Initially, it was classified alongside other species in the Richmondena and Pyrrhuloxia genera. Interestingly, it shares a closer relationship with the pyrrhuloxia (C. sinuatus) than with the northern cardinal (C. cardinalis).
The vermilion cardinal inhabits two separate areas: one stretches from the Guajira Peninsula in northeastern Colombι̇a to northern Venezuela, reaching as far as Lara state. The second area lies further east in Venezuela, spanning from Anzoátegui state to Sucre state, encompassing Margarita Island. These birds thrive in semi-arid scrublands characterized by cacti and spiny legumes. Their habitat ranges from sea level to 300 m (980 ft), with some records of sightings as high as 700 m (2,300 ft) in Lara.
When it comes to behavior, the vermilion cardinal forages alone, in pairs, or in small groups within low vegetation. Its diet includes invertebrates, fleshy fruits, and seeds.
Breeding behaviors include the construction of open cup nests in cacti or bushes, primarily documented on Margarita Island. The nesting season spans from June to early August, with most nests containing three eggs, while one had four. Only the female incubates the eggs and broods the nestlings, but both sexes participate in feeding the young.
Regarding vocalization, the vermilion cardinal’s song is described as a pleasant “‘cheer o-weet-toweet toweet toweet’,” while its call is a distinct “chip.”
“vermilion cardinal” by Laura Gaudette is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
The IUCN has categorized the vermilion cardinal as being of Least Concern, indicating that while it has a limited range, it appears to be relatively common across much of that range. However, capture for the pet trade, particularly in certain locations, undoubtedly has a significant negative impact on its populations.
Watch a short video of this bird’s daily life:
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More Often Seen Than Heard, This Beautiful Bird Is Often Found Perfectly Perching On An Isolated Jungle Branch Waiting For Its Prey!
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