This bird's identity is driving me mad

[rauk]

After an exhaustive search on the net, this brief sighting is still un-resolved. Closest I've got is juvenile Golden Oriole, but it's not a brilliant match. This mystery dropped onto a wall in front of me while I sat looking out over the cliffs in north west Cornwall a few days ago early in the morning. It was a very brief moment and only a few features stick clearly in my mind:

Starling size (ish) with slim elongated but sturdy body shape, fairly pointed head with same-length gently downward-curved bill and definate dark stripe across (or over) the eye and, as it flew away, light creamy rump. The bill curved gradually rather like a scimitar sword and broadened throught-out its length from tip to head. Hazy impression of brown/yellow/greenish/grey body colours and brownish bill which I recall was graduated from mid to light brown. I recall shortish tail, but no longer convinced. Can't recall leg colour at all, nor wing colours as it skitted away (strongly) over nearby willow shrub.

I tried to convince myself it was a Eurasian treecreeper, but recollection of youthful sighting of this mousey little bird make me reject this option. I can find no images of juvenile G Orioles with light rump and, from what I have seen, G Oriole bills tend to be from fairly solid red to black and perhaps not as smoothly curved as my mystery bird.

Tis driving me mad. It is definately nothing I have seen before - any suggestions please?

[Gill Catton]

Sounds quite a bit like a green woodpecker to me

[Jason Green]

Evening Rauk, and welcome to WAB!

I thought GW too, just the coastal habitat put me off suggesting it a little. Still, it sounds likely on account of the description.

Take care,

Jason

[rauk]

Sorry, I have a left-right/east-west problem - should have said north east Cornwall

[rauk]

Gill/Jason,

Very definately not a wood-pecker - I am very familiar with WPs.

[solus]

Some sort of small wader?

[AshLee]

Can you draw it, or at least some of its features? Like the bill for example.

[rauk]

Mental impression becoming fuzzier by the day, but I'll search out some pics of birds with similar features. However, owner of the wall now says he might have seen it before - will now watch out for and fill in missing details if he can. This might take a while!

[Jonners]

Hi rauk. How about Wheatear? Shows white rump when flying away. Habitat would suit. Size would suit. Black eyestripe would suit. Colours would suit. Have a look at some of the pics on here.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Jonners

Hi rauk. How about Wheatear? Shows white rump when flying away. Habitat would suit. Size would suit. Black eyestripe would suit. Colours would suit. Have a look at some of the pics on here.

Good call. I'd go for wheatear too.

Regards, Chris