The Coppersmith Barbet is one of our area’s most familiar resident species largely because of its persistent and penetrating “tuk tuk tuk” call. This is reminiscent of a small hammer hitting metal, hence one of its English names. It is the smallest barbet and is strongly attracted to fruiting trees, notably those in the Ficus group. It also feeds on nectar, so flowering trees are favoured. One interesting characteristic of this species is its habit, particularly in the early morning, of gathering in groups on high bare branches when it can be seen very clearly. Otherwise it can be very difficult to pick out in the green foliage, particularly as it often sits quite still.

From the time they start excavating their nest hole in the autumn through the breeding season, which in our area extends at least to June, they can be very pugnacious in defence of their chosen territory. Fights between rival males are not uncommon. The nest hole can be at any height and is often on the underside of a branch. When feeding young in particular, Coppersmiths can be very confiding. They are more widespread and commoner than the Brown-headed Barbet because they tolerate a wider range of trees in terms of species and size. However the two species also occur in the same trees, particularly if they are banyan or peepul trees