Green bird to ID (only from description unfortunately)

~T~ · #1 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 03:07 PM

My aunt called me to say she had just seen a beautiful green bird in her garden. Here description was it was quite big(I think she said at least pigeon sized), speckled belly like a thrush, didnt have a parrot beak but sort of looked like a bird of prey. I'm thinking its too big to be a greenfinch so possibly a green woodpecker? I asked if it had red fethers on it's head but she didnt think so, would juvies still lack red at this time of year? I dont think any woodpeckers are common around here (I've certainly never seen/heard any)but you never know. It was seen in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire. She did try and take a pic but seems shes taken a vid instead and it is apparently hard to make out (though shes not very computery so I might be able to tell better when I see the vid).

Any ideas?

werdnal · #2 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 03:22 PM

Sounds like a green woody. The juveniles are more speckeldy on the front, and their red caps can be duller, so not quite as noticeable. They are suprisingly large when you see them up close, so sounds about the right size.

RSPB page here

The RSPB: Green woodpecker

Ladywell · #3 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 03:26 PM

Sounds like green woodpecker - can't think of anything else big and green!! Was in on the ground? Lucky her!!

stigofthedump · #4 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 03:57 PM

Sounds like a Green Woodpecker to me also. I have watched them not too far away from your aunt's location.

Happy New Year all.

Vince

RoyW · #5 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

I'm thinking its too big to be a greenfinch so possibly a green woodpecker? I asked if it had red fethers on it's head but she didnt think so, would juvies still lack red at this time of year?

(Bold highlights added).
Identifying birds from non-birders descriptions - always a fun game!

Green Woodpecker might be a possibility, but I really wouldn't want to say what it was based on this description! They wouldn't be in juvenile plumage at this time of year, and juveniles never lack red on the head (it's just obscured with black markings) - sometimes the red isn't very noticeable though.

faz · #6 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 05:33 PM

iknow the OP says that its not got a parrot beak ? but metions a hooked beak lots of parrots have a hooked ish beak
unless an escapee poss parakeet/ parrot dont you hate when we might not find out what it was

~T~ · #7 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 05:38 PM

Yup something tells me it's not a green woodpecker and yup I may never find out what it was

faz · #8 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

Yup something tells me it's not a green woodpecker and yup I may never find out what it was

you mention a vid cud it be posted to utube so we can see even if it is poor we might be able to tell what it is

~T~ · #9 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faz

you mention a vid cud it be posted to utube so we can see even if it is poor we might be able to tell what it is

Yeh my aunt says she'll get the vid to me soon.

RoyW · #10 (**permalink**) 31-12-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

Yup something tells me it's not a green woodpecker and yup I may never find out what it was

This is the major problem with encouraging friends and relatives to take an interest - you end up getting all sorts of odd sightings that you really can't be sure of!

Getting other people interested is always a good thing though, even if it does end up causing headaches!