Wildlife N-epal.com

The Coppersmith Barbet, Crimson-breasted Barbet or Coppersmith (Megalaima haemacephala), is a bird with crimson forehead and throat which is best known for its metronomic call that has been likened to a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. Flight is straight, with rapid flaps. They have a loud metallic tuk…tuk…tuk call. They feed on Banyan, Peepul, and other wild figs, various drupes and berries, and the occasional insect, caught in aerial sallies. They also feed on petals of a flower. They eat nearly 1.5 to nearly 3 times their body weight in berries each day. Three or four eggs are laid. Like other barbets, they chisel out a hole inside a tree to build their nest. They are mainly fruit eating but will take insects. This bird was seen at Balgram, Sunsari, Itahari, Nepal.