Vermilion cardinal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vermilion cardinal |
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| Female | |
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| Genus: |
Cardinalis
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| Species: |
phoeniceus
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Approximate distribution map Year-round |
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The vermilion cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) is a beautiful red bird. It belongs to the cardinal family. You can find this bird in parts of Colombia and Venezuela.
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About the Vermilion Cardinal's Family
The vermilion cardinal is a unique bird. It is the only species in its group (meaning it is monotypic). This bird and other Cardinalis species were once in different groups. Scientists later moved them into the Cardinalis group. The vermilion cardinal is more closely related to the pyrrhuloxia than to the northern cardinal.
What the Vermilion Cardinal Looks Like
This bird is about 19 centimeters (7.5 inches) long. Both male and female birds have long feathers on their heads. These feathers usually stand up like a crest.
- Male Birds: The male is almost completely red. The shade of red can be very bright or a bit darker. He has a thin black band around the bottom of his strong gray beak.
- Female Birds: The female has a gray head with red crest feathers. The rest of her head is brownish-gray. She has white patches near her beak. Her upper body is grayish-brown, turning brown on her lower back. Her belly is a light cinnamon color.
- Young Birds: Young vermilion cardinals look similar to the females. However, their brown colors are richer and deeper.
Where Vermilion Cardinals Live
The vermilion cardinal lives in two separate areas. One area stretches from the Guajira Peninsula in northeastern Colombia. It goes into northern Venezuela, reaching the Lara state. The other area is further east in Venezuela. It spans from Anzoátegui state to Sucre state. This includes Margarita Island.
These birds like to live in dry, scrubby areas. These places often have cactus plants and thorny bushes. They usually live from sea level up to 300 meters (980 feet) high. Sometimes, they are found as high as 700 meters (2,300 feet) in Lara.
Vermilion Cardinal Behavior
How They Find Food
Vermilion cardinals look for food alone, in pairs, or in small groups. They search through low plants and bushes. Their diet includes small insects and other invertebrates. They also eat juicy fruits and seeds.
Reproduction and Nests
Scientists have found and described six vermilion cardinal nests. All of these nests were found on Margarita Island. The nests were shaped like open cups. They were built in cactus plants or bushes. The nesting season happens from June to early August. Four of the nests had three eggs each. One nest had four eggs. Only the female bird sits on the eggs to keep them warm. She also keeps the baby birds warm. However, both parents help feed the young birds.
What They Sound Like
The vermilion cardinal has a pleasant song. It sounds like "cheer o-weet-toweet toweet toweet" [1]. Its call is a simple "chip" sound [2].
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the vermilion cardinal as a species of "Least Concern." This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. Even though they live in a specific area, they seem to be common in most of it. However, some people catch these birds to sell as pets. This activity can harm the bird populations in certain places.
