 These morphs are unrelated to gender, body size, age or geographical origin, but are associated with differences in diet, with the larger-billed morphs able to tackle larger and harder seeds such as those of the nutrushes; it is hypothesized that a mutation in a single gene had a large effect on the morphology of individuals.The crimson seedcracker is a non-migratory species and has a wide range in West Africa.It is a shy and unobtrusive bird so may easily be overlooked, but the population seems stable and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".