Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus) – Wildlife Photograph

Description

The Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus) is a colorful and distinctive bird found across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Its bright green plumage, red forehead and throat, yellow facial markings and characteristic repetitive call make it one of the more recognizable barbets of the region.

This original wildlife photograph captures the natural beauty and distinctive appearance of a Coppersmith Barbet, showcasing its colorful plumage and characteristic facial markings.

The photograph was captured by wildlife photographer Amarjeetsinh Jhala and forms part of the Focused Nature By AJ collection of original bird, wildlife and nature photography.

About the Coppersmith Barbet

The Coppersmith Barbet is scientifically known as Psilopogon haemacephalus and belongs to the family Megalaimidae and order Piciformes. It is also commonly known as the Crimson-breasted Barbet or simply Coppersmith.

The species is a resident bird across much of its range rather than a long-distance migrant. In India, it can be found in a wide variety of suitable habitats, including gardens, parks, groves and wooded areas.

Coppersmith Barbet Identification

The Coppersmith Barbet is a relatively small, colorful bird with several distinctive identification features.

Important features include:

• Bright green body
• Red forehead
• Red throat and breast markings
• Yellow facial markings
• Dark facial markings
• Short, strong bill
• Compact body
• Streaked underparts
• Distinctive repetitive call

Its combination of green, red, yellow and dark markings makes it an attractive subject for bird photography and wildlife photography.

Colorful Plumage

The Coppersmith Barbet is particularly recognizable for its contrasting facial and throat colors.

The bird’s predominantly green plumage is complemented by striking red markings on the forehead and throat, together with yellow and dark facial areas.

These contrasting colors can be especially attractive when photographed in natural light, making the species a popular subject among Indian bird photographers.

The Coppersmith Barbet’s Famous Call

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the Coppersmith Barbet is its repetitive call.

The call is often described as sounding like a coppersmith repeatedly striking metal with a hammer, which is the origin of the bird’s common name.

The repetitive “tuk-tuk-tuk” style call can often be heard before the bird is located visually, making its vocalization useful to birdwatchers searching for the species.

Habitat

Coppersmith Barbets are adaptable birds that can occupy a variety of habitats.

They can be found in:

• Gardens
• Urban parks
• Groves
• Woodland
• Forest edges
• Roadside trees
• Agricultural landscapes
• Areas containing mature trees

Bird surveys in India have documented the species in gardens, urban parks, roadside trees and rural groves, demonstrating its ability to live in landscapes influenced by human activity.

Coppersmith Barbet in India

The Coppersmith Barbet is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent and is a familiar resident bird in many parts of India.

Bird observations from different parts of India include records from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and other regions.

Its ability to use gardens, parks and wooded urban environments makes it possible for bird photographers to encounter the species even relatively close to cities.

Coppersmith Barbet in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

If this photograph was captured in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, the location provides additional context for the image.

Ahmedabad’s gardens, urban trees, agricultural surroundings and other green spaces can provide habitat for a variety of resident birds.

A Coppersmith Barbet photographed in Ahmedabad represents the rich birdlife that can be found within and around urban areas of Gujarat.

Diet

The Coppersmith Barbet is primarily associated with a fruit-based diet and is known to feed on fruits and other plant material. It may also consume insects, particularly when available.

Its feeding habits can make fruiting trees important locations for observing and photographing the species.

The bird’s movements between fruiting trees can also contribute to seed dispersal, giving it an important ecological role in its habitat.

Nesting and Breeding

Coppersmith Barbets typically excavate nesting cavities in trees.

Suitable dead or decaying wood can be particularly important because the birds use their strong bills to create or enlarge cavities for nesting.

The species can also use tree cavities for roosting. In parts of India, breeding activity has been recorded during the spring and early summer months.

Coppersmith Barbet Photography

The Coppersmith Barbet is an excellent subject for Indian bird photography because of its vibrant colors, distinctive facial markings and characteristic behaviour.

Photographing this species can provide opportunities to capture:

• Portraits
• Perching birds
• Feeding behaviour
• Birds on fruiting trees
• Birds calling
• Birds entering or leaving tree cavities
• Natural habitat scenes

This photograph forms part of the Focused Nature By AJ bird photography collection, documenting birds and wildlife through original photography.

Photography Details

Common Name: Coppersmith Barbet
Alternative Common Name: Crimson-breasted Barbet / Coppersmith
Scientific Name: Psilopogon haemacephalus
Family: Megalaimidae
Order: Piciformes
Bird Type: Barbet / Resident Bird
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Habitat: Gardens, Woodlands, Parks, Groves and Urban Green Spaces
Diet: Primarily Fruits and Plant Material
Photograph Type: Wildlife / Bird Photograph
Photographer: Amarjeetsinh Jhala

Conservation Status

The Coppersmith Barbet is currently classified as Least Concern on the global IUCN Red List. State-level bird assessments in India also recognize the species as a resident bird with a broad distribution.

Although the species is widespread, protecting mature trees, woodland and suitable nesting habitats remains important for maintaining healthy populations of cavity-nesting birds.

About This Photograph

This is an original Coppersmith Barbet wildlife photograph captured by wildlife photographer Amarjeetsinh Jhala.

The photograph is part of the Focused Nature By AJ collection, documenting India’s birds, wildlife and natural environments through original photography.

The image can be licensed for approved personal, commercial, educational, editorial and printing applications according to the selected license.

Image Licensing

Personal Use

Suitable for personal collections, wallpapers and other approved non-commercial applications.

Commercial Use

Suitable for websites, digital marketing, advertising, social media, business presentations and other approved commercial applications.

Printing & Publication

Suitable for magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, educational publications, exhibitions and other approved editorial and printing uses.

Explore More Indian Bird Photography

Explore more original Coppersmith Barbet photographs, Psilopogon haemacephalus photography, Indian bird photography, Gujarat bird photography, Ahmedabad bird photography, barbet photography, wildlife photography and nature photographs captured by Amarjeetsinh Jhala.

Focused Nature By AJ documents birds, mammals, reptiles and nature through original wildlife photography, with selected photographs available for personal, commercial and printing & publication licensing.