Extreme northern Colombia (Guajira Peninsula) and northern Venezuela (north-western Zulia east through Falcón to south-eastern Lara; north-eastern Anzoátegui east to Sucre, including Margarita I).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Vermilion Cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) [XC629966]
by Francisco contreras from Taratara, Venezuela (aberrant)
Vermilion Cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) [XC839364]
by id from Taratara, Venezuela (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Has in the past been placed in separate genus, variously Richmondena and Pyrrhuloxia. Forms a superspecies with Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). The relationship of these two to Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) the subject of varying opinions.
Subspecies robinsoni was proposed for birds of Margarita I, but all claimed differences fall within range of variation of mainland birds, except perhaps the normally shorter crest.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet