Help identifying a bird call

hannahpanda · #1 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 11:58 AM

Today I heard a bird call I don't recognise.
I have just listened to all the sound clips on the RSPB website, the only one that sounds slightly similar is the Wryneck which from the behaviour description I don't think it is.
The bird was vertical at the very top of a tree and the call sounded like hu-ha-ha-ha-ha, the "h" was very pronounced. I was looking from a distance so could not get much detail from the bird.

Ruth Daniel · #2 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:09 PM

Hi Hannah,this sounds intriguing!

Have you any more clues as to the appearance of the bird?

Do you think it could have been a Green Woodpecker???

Astra · #3 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruth Daniel

Do you think it could have been a Green Woodpecker???

That would be my guess too.

The mocking, laughing yaffle of the green woodpecker - once heard, never forgotten!

James M · #4 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:27 PM

Could it have been a Nuthatch? or is the call a bit too "whistley" if that makes any sense? Green Woodpecker sounds good, although I've never seen or heard one.

hannahpanda · #5 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:30 PM

Trust the green woodpecker to be the sound clip I skipped

I did see a Green Woodpecker fly there last week actually! First time I have seen one in the area and I've lived here for 17 years.

I was quite a distance away and could only really see a silhouette, it looked about the size of a blackbird and dark in colour. I'll take my binoculars on the next dog walk!

James M · #6 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:33 PM

That's very lucky, I've only ever seen a Great-Spotted, where abouts were you? as I might have a walk later.

jaykay · #7 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannahpanda

I was quite a distance away and could only really see a silhouette, it looked about the size of a blackbird and dark in colour. I'll take my binoculars on the next dog walk!

and your camera!!! good luck with the identification though

hannahpanda · #8 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James M

That's very lucky, I've only ever seen a Great-Spotted, where abouts were you? as I might have a walk later.

Yes I see them in my back garden!
Uppermill, im pretty sure it was a green woodpecker I saw last week. It flew right in front of me when I was walking the dog, I didn't see its head but just its body which was dark green with a light green underside and undulating flight.

James M · #9 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannahpanda

Yes I see them in my back garden!
Uppermill, im pretty sure it was a green woodpecker I saw last week. It flew right in front of me when I was walking the dog, I didn't see its head but just its body which was dark green with a light green underside and undulating flight.

Well you've made me jealous lol, we don't get that many species in ours but we do get Nuthatches and Bullfinches sometimes and a flock of Redpolls once.

hannahpanda · #10 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:51 PM

We get quite a few, I really need to sit down one day and make a list. I've seen bullfinches and nuthatches here but not redpolls. We've had pheasants and ducks too.
If you want the exact location of the Green Woodpecker PM me and I will let you know