Looked like a crow, sounded like a woodpecker (3 Viewers)

[Lord Puffin]

Hi All

Just registered, mainly to ask this question.
I was in Richmond Park, west London, UK when I heard a bird sound I didn't recognize. at first it sounded like a woodpecker hammering, then it became evident that this was a bird call of some kind. on further investigation the culprit appeared to be a large crow. I couldn't view it as well as I would have liked but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a jackdaw or a rook. the bird continued to make these gentle, staccato chattering sounds for 5 minutes before flying off - I have never heard a crow make any noise other that the usual. can anybody shed any light on this?

Regards

Lord Puffin

 

[KenM]

If all you saw was a silhouette....could it have been a Jay?...as they can produce staccato/warble type notes.

 

[Andy Bright]

Carrion Crow can often make a noise similar to the drumming of a woodpecker.
cheers,
Andy

 

[Adam W]

Another one of these increasingly common Black Woodpeckers

 

[Lord Puffin]

Thanks

Thanks to all above - it seems it must have been the carrion crow it looked like - I don't know how I could have not heard this before but will keep my ears open. The sound is so different from the usual craw!, does it have a specific meaning or use? it's to gentle to be territorial

 

[Canadian Lady]

Hi. I saw and heard this exact same thing here late last year! Heard what I thought was a Woodpecker hammering on a tree, looked up and watched an American Crow sitting on a branch and making this sound for at least 5 minutes+. Quite hilarious to observe! :-O

The crow was ticked off at a squirrel that wanted to be on the same branch so I'm wondering if it actually is some sort of territorial sound?

 

[GH]

This sounds like bill-clattering to me. It is reminiscent of a woodpecker and I am pretty sure I have heard this in the company of other crows, possibly by one of a pair.

 

[Lord Puffin]

This sounds like bill-clattering to me. It is reminiscent of a woodpecker and I am pretty sure I have heard this in the company of other crows, possibly by one of a pair.

Hi, I did look for another bird in the vicinity but this crow seemed to be quite alone also, I was close enough to discern that the sound was definitely vocal and not percussive. what amazed me was the gentle, smooth tone of the note compared to the distorted rasping craw!
Thanks again to everyone for there input on this.
LP