Coppersmith Barbet

The coppersmith barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus), also called crimson-breasted barbet and coppersmith, is an Asian barbet with crimson forehead and throat, known for its metronomic call that sounds similar to a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. It is a resident bird in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. It carves out holes inside a tree to build its nest. It is predominantly frugivorous, but has been observed eating insects, especially winged termites.

Scientific Name : Psilopogon haemacephalus

Family : Megalaimidae

Order : Piciformes

Class : Aves

Type : Barbets

Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)

Size : 15 - 17 cm

Compare Size : House Sparrow +-

Wingspan : 24 cm

Weight : 30 - 52.6 g

Migratory : Resident

Sex Alike : Yes

Nesting Season : 3 - 4 eggs

Other Names :

English : Crimson-Breasted Barbet, Coppersmith

Hindi : ठठेरा बसंता, काठफोड़ा

Marathi : तांबट, पुकपुक्या, जुकटुक, कोकरोच

Habitat:
inhabits gardens, groves and sparse woodland

Breeding:
February to April

Feeding:
predominantly frugivorous, but has been observed eating insects, especially winged termites


Identification Features

Male & Female
Forehead crimson
Throat yellow with crimson band at bottom
Head black face with yellow patches above and below the eyes
Crown black
Breast greenish streaked in grey and black; has some white in breast area
Legs reddish-pink
Note :
mostly green plumage

SIGHTINGS

Date Location
2018-12-16 16 Dec 2018 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2024-05-01 01 May 2024 Diveagar, Maharashtra

Similar Birds

(Barbets)