The Cardenalito (red siskin) of Venezuela

The red siskin (Spinus cucullatus) is a species of songbird (order Passeriformes) endemic to the country. This small bird, approximately 10 cm in length, shows marked sexual dimorphism, with the male being significantly more conspicuous than the female. In the past, its distribution was known to be wide, covering both the Andean regions and northern Venezuela (figure a.). However, illegal trafficking and habitat degradation have drastically reduced the number of individuals. Breeders of canaries are now trading the Cardenalito at a high price to obtain hybrid individuals. Thus, habitat degradation and illegal trade have fragmented and reduced populations to small groups. Given this situation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified it as ‘Endangered’.

The red siskin build their nests in the branches of trees, at a height of about 16 m, among leaves and epiphytic plants (figure b.). The nest is cup-shaped with a diameter of about 12 cm and a depth of 10 cm (figure c.). The female lays three to four eggs, white to pale green and measuring approximately 15 x 11 mm (figure d.). 

At the moment, the Red Siskin initiative is a conservation program that brings together public and private institutions, as well as communities and individuals, to protect and restore populations of this species. This effort also includes the use of scientific illustrations in its reports, such as in the Annual Report of 2023.

This illustration was made as part of the 9th edition of the Scientific Illustration contest of IllustraCiencia.

Year: 2022
Technique: Main illustration with watercolors (A3), secondary elements with digital illustration.
Illustration type: Scientific.
Type of project/Client: Personal.