The Coppersmith Barbet, also known as the Crimson-breasted Barbet or Coppersmith, is a species of bird found in the Indian Subcontinent. It is a medium-sized barbet known for its loud “tuk” calls which sound like a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. In this article, we will explore the geographic range and habitat of the Coppersmith Barbet to understand where it can be found.
Geographic Range
The Coppersmith Barbet has a fairly wide distribution across the Indian Subcontinent. Its range includes:
- India
- Pakistan
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
In India, it is found across much of the country from the foothills of the Himalayas south to the state of Kerala. Its range extends west to southeastern Pakistan and east to central Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Isolated populations occur in suitable habitat across this broad region.
Distribution in India
The Coppersmith Barbet’s distribution covers a large portion of India. Its range stretches from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the southern tip of the Western Ghats. Some key areas where it can be found include:
- Northern India: parts of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
- Eastern India: West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur
- Central India: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
- Western India: Rajasthan, Gujarat
- Southern India: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
In general, it occupies forests, woodlands, and wooded habitats across much of non-arid India up to about 1500 meters elevation.
Distribution in Pakistan
The barbet inhabits riverine forests, scrublands, and orchards in parts of southeastern Pakistan. Its range extends along the Indus River valley in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. It also occurs in coastal mangrove forests along the Arabian Sea.
Distribution in Nepal
In Nepal, the Coppersmith Barbet occupies the Terai lowlands in the south up to the Siwalik Hills and Mahabharat Range. It is found in forested areas and woodlands primarily below 1500 meters elevation. Its range extends across much of the eastern Terai.
Distribution in Bhutan and Bangladesh
The species is found in the low-lying forests of southwest and south-central Bhutan. In Bangladesh, the barbet mainly occurs in forested areas of the northeast around Sylhet and Chittagong. Isolated populations likely occur elsewhere in suitable habitats.
Habitat
The Coppersmith Barbet inhabits a variety of wooded habitats across its wide distribution. It requires some trees but can thrive even in scrubby forest patches and orchards.
Forests
The barbet frequents various forest types including tropical dry forests, deciduous forests, broadleaf evergreen forests, pine forests, and riverine forests. It tends to prefer forests with some open areas and clearings. Open woodlands may support higher densities than dense unbroken forest.
Scrublands
Scrublands characterized by scattered short trees and bushes offer prime habitat. These areas provide both feeding and nesting sites. Babul scrublands dotted with trees make excellent habitat.
Orchards and Gardens
The Coppersmith adapts quite well to orchards, gardens, and even urban parks or yards with some large trees. The birds nest in holes in garden trees and feed on various fruits.
Riverine
Riverine vegetation with trees like willows along rivers provide good habitat. The birds are found along various river systems where suitable vegetation occurs like along the Indus and Ganges river networks.
Altitude
The Coppersmith Barbet is mostly found from sea level up to 1500 meters in the Himalayan foothills. Occasionally it has been recorded up to about 2000 meters. But it is primarily a lowland species.
Roosting and Nesting Habits
The barbet requires suitable trees to provide roosting and nesting sites. Some key facts about its roosting and nesting needs include:
- Requires holes in trees for nesting usually at heights from around 5-20 feet off the ground.
- Favors holes in dead trees or dead portions of living trees.
- Also nests in old woodpecker holes or natural cavities in tall trees.
- Lines the nest cavity with wood dust and flakes bitten off from the cavity walls.
- Roosts in cavities of trees at night.
- Requires tall, large trees for adequate roosting and nesting sites.
- Nest trees are often in open areas for easy access.
These nesting habits influence the barbet’s distribution and habitat requirements. Good densities often occur in orchards due to nesting opportunities.
Territory and Home Range
The Coppersmith Barbet is non-migratory and maintains home ranges and territories year-round. Some key facts about their space use include:
- Territory sizes range around 1-3 hectares on average.
- Defends territories as pairs or small family groups.
- Remains in the same general area year-round.
- Doesn’t migrate seasonal but may make some local movements based on food.
- Home ranges expand during the non-breeding season.
- Tends to be very vocal and stationary, calling from regular sites.
These territorial habits mean barbets maintain stable populations in areas with suitable habitat. Sufficient space for breeding territories is required to support good densities.
Threats and Conservation Status
The Coppersmith Barbet has a fairly large global range and population, so it is not currently considered threatened. However, some potential threats and conservation issues include:
- Deforestation can reduce habitat, especially nesting sites.
- Capture for the pet trade takes some birds from the wild.
- Pesticides may reduce insect prey populations.
- Classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Maintaining healthy forests will be key for the long-term survival of barbet populations across their range. Protecting large nest trees and reducing pesticides when possible can also help support the species.
Conclusion
In summary, the Coppersmith Barbet occupies a broad swath of the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found in various forest habitats, scrublands, orchards, and wooded areas from Pakistan to Bangladesh and south to Sri Lanka. Within this large range, the barbet requires some trees for roosting, nesting, and feeding. It is non-migratory, defending small territories year-round. While not currently threatened, habitat preservation will be important for this vocal and characterful bird. Learning more about where Coppersmith Barbets occur can help efforts to protect remaining populations across their range.
