Vermilion Cardinal
VU

Vermilion Cardinal

Cardinalis phoeniceus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermilion_cardinal

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Vermilion Cardinal faces severe habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in northern South America. Cattle ranching and slash-and-burn agriculture have fragmented its preferred woodland habitats, while capture for the illegal pet trade targets this striking red songbird. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the dry forests and woodland edges where this species depends on specific fruiting trees and insects.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Vermilion Cardinal inhabits dry woodlands, forest edges, and scrubland in northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela. It prefers semi-arid regions with scattered trees and dense undergrowth, typically at elevations below 500 meters.

Other threatened species in Cardinalidae

Carrizal SeedeaterCR

Carrizal Seedeater

Amaurospiza carrizalensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Vermilion Cardinal classified as Vulnerable?
Vermilion Cardinal is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Vermilion Cardinal faces severe habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in northern South America. Cattle ranching and slash-and-burn agriculture have fragmented its preferred woodland habitats, while capture for the illegal pet trade targets this striking red songbird. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the dry forests and woodland edges where this species depends on specific fruiting trees and insects.
Where does Vermilion Cardinal live?
Vermilion Cardinal occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Vermilion Cardinal?
The main threats to Vermilion Cardinal are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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