Coppersmith Barbet

1. Bird Name
The primary subject of this profile is a bird species known as the Coppersmith Barbet, with the scientific name of Megalaima haemacephala.

2. Appearance
The Coppersmith Barbet is a colorful bird known for its bright plumage, which features a crimson forehead and throat, contrasting with its otherwise green body. The bird’s breast is marked with a yellow patch, which adds another dash of color to this remarkable creature’s appearance. The bird’s beak is stout and serrated, while the eyes have a yellow ring around them, helping to distinguish it from other species. Both male and female species look similar with no apparent differences between them.

3. Size
Approximately, the bird measures 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 inches) in length. The wingspan of the bird is about 20-25 cm (7.9-9.8 inches), and it weighs between 80 and 85 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Coppersmith Barbet earns its name from its native habitat in South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. It prefers living in conditions like gardens, groves, and sparse woodland. Its presence is popular in urban areas with fruiting trees.

5. Interesting Facts
The Coppersmith Barbet gets its name from its distinctive call that sounds like a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. Another interesting fact about this bird is their ability to drill holes in tree trunks or deadwood where they nest and breed, resulting in their nickname as the “fruit cutter bird” in some areas.

6. Diet
The Coppersmith Barbet mainly feeds on fruits such as berries and mangoes. It is known to enjoy figs very much and will also eat insects, predominantly during the breeding season to offer protein to its young ones.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The most distinctive behavior of the Coppersmith Barbet is its unique call, reminiscent of a coppersmith’s hammer hitting metal, hence its name. The bird is generally solitary or found in pairs. It displays a unique behavior of drilling holes into trees for nesting, using its beak like a chisel.

8. Conservation Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Coppersmith Barbet is of least concern, showcasing a wide distribution and stable population trend.

9. Lifespan
The Coppersmith Barbet can live up to 15 years in the wild, while in captivity, their lifespan extends slightly up to 20 years.

10. Additional Notes
Locally, these birds are also known as ‘Basanta Bauri’ in Bengali or ‘Chhota Basanta’ in Hindi. They are appreciated for their fruit-eating habits, helping in the dissemination of seeds and thereby assisting in the growth of many tree species. Moreover, their distinctive call is often associated with the advent of spring and the start of a fresh season. Despite their usual aversion to humans, Coppersmith Barbets have been known to nest in urban environments, making them an integral part of both natural and human-altered ecosystems.