Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) by Clement Francis

_

If the Coppersmith Barbet chicks
don’t return
to their nest early
their parents will not allow them in!
If we don’t return
in to the kingdom early
would Jesus take us in?

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Mathew 25:13

Nuggets Plus – Watchout ~ by A J Mithra

Lee’s Addition:

What a beautiful bird, but also what a solemn warning.

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. It is a resident found in the Indian Subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Like other barbets, they chisel out a hole inside a tree to build their nest. They are mainly fruit-eating but will take sometimes insects, especially winged termites. They belong to the Megalaimidae – Asian Barbets Family.

I found AJ’s remark about the youngster failing to get back to the nest on time interesting and found these remarks on Wikipedia.

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) by MAMuin

Keeps solitary, pairs, or small groups; larger parties occasionally on abundantly fruiting Ficus trees. Fond of sunning themselves in the morning on bare top branches of tall trees, often flitting about to sit next to each other. The flight is straight, with rapid flaps.

They compete with other cavity nesting birds and frugivores. Megalaima asiatica have been noted to evict them from their nest holes, while Red-vented Bulbuls have been seen to indulge in kleptoparasitism, robbing the male of berries brought to the female at the nest.

The nest holes are also used for roosting and some birds roost alone in cavities and these often roost during part of the day. Immatures will roost with the parents but often return to roost early so as not to be prevented by the parents from entering the roost cavity.

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 ESV)

See:

Coppersmith Barbet – The Fruit-giver – by ajmithra

A J Mithra’s Other Articles

Birds of the World – Asian and African Barbets

Thankful For The Lord’s Birds

Formed By Him – Copper Birds

Megalaimidae – Asian Barbets Family

*