can you help me identify a bird?

[fionnuala]

Hi,
I am new and was motivated by seeing an amazing bird in my garden this morning. Where I live is about a mile from two rivers (one is the THames) in a suburban area which is a haven for birds. lots of old trees and gardens. Apart from the parrot and woodpeckers and our local robin, this morning I saw a bright green plumed bird, with a red tufty head and long flatish beak which pointed upwards walking in circles in the garden trying to scoop up some worms. He or she had a couple of flashes of bright yellow on his back. Larger than a pigeon (quite a bit larger!) I can't find any similar birds on any web identifiers. Any ideas?

[john robinson]

Hi
You certainly have me stumped on that one !
I am sure someone will come up with something.
Cheers
JohnR

[Bobolink44]

Hi fionnuala, thanks for the post. Behaviour sounds really odd. Usually the newbie question of the "green and yellow bird on lawn with red on head" is a Green Woodpecker (http://www.surfbirder.com/cgi-bin/ukbirdid2/readcsv.pl?name=Green+Woodpecker). You mention that you're familiar with the woodpeckers but maybe this is your first encounter with a Green Woodpecker? Please let us know if we're right. Thanks, Bob

[Hotspur]

Perfect description of a Green Woodpecker

[AndyB]

I'd go for Green Woodpecker too - please have a look at the pic and let us know.

[Joe Ray]

Thats a classic Green Woodpecker.
http://www.pensychnant.fsnet.co.uk/gallery/woodpecker.jpg
http://www.bradlaughfields.org.uk/GreenWoodpecker04.jpe

[David Campbell]

All fits apart from size, it wouldn't be bigger than a pigeon