Crimson-headed Barbet

It has been a very busy week. The most important guest of Maharashtra (and some parts of South India) – Lord Ganesh - is here and it is raining heavily everyday. This no doubt gives our municipal officials and the contractors, ready-made reasons for not repairing pot-holes on the roads and lame excuses are trotted out about “lack of dry spell” and so on. Do not fret, for they shall pay for their misdeeds. As the Lord says, “To each, his own”.
 
Crimson-headed Barbet or Coppersmith
Barbets are thick billed birds and usually feed on the fruits and berries of flowering plants. The crimson-headed Barbet is commonly called Coppersmith, for its monotonous call, tuk, tuk, tuk.., which reminds one of a coppersmith at his work. It is most active in the months of January to May. It has dark green colored body and wings, with a distinctive, crimson colored patch on its head and chest. 
Due to its colors, it is perfectly camouflaged and is difficult to spot, even though it is heard very often. If you wish to spot a coppersmith, the best place to look for it is in the peepul or banyan tree, where it can be seen singly or in groups of 2 or more.