Coppersmith Barbet
Psilopogon haemacephalus
About This Species
A small, brightly marked barbet found in gardens, orchards, and open woodland across South and Southeast Asia, most often detected by its monotonous, metallic 'tuk-tuk-tuk' call repeated for long stretches from a high perch. It feeds mainly on figs and other soft fruit, and excavates its own nest holes in dead or soft wood. Listen for its call on warm, still mornings, when it calls most persistently from exposed treetops.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because it excavates nest holes in dead branches, avoid disturbing or removing dead wood in areas where it is calling, and view nesting activity from a distance with binoculars rather than approaching the tree.
- Bird protection law varies across its range in South and Southeast Asia, with enforcement and coverage differing by country, so treat any nesting bird as sensitive regardless of local statute.
- It tolerates a moderate human presence in gardens, but prolonged close observation near a nest hole can cause adults to delay feeding visits.
LCAvesPiciformesMegalaimidae
Seasonal Activity
589,277 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Megalaimidae
Photo
(c) Elavarasan M, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Elavarasan M
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.