What is this bird?

[PigletJohn]

Bright red cap, yellow patch on its back prominent when it flew, smaller than blackbird, bigger than a sparrow, thin looking? Walking about in the road.

I've only seen a badger once - trotting around the long-stay carpark at Heathrow (the badger, not me).

I nearly died of shock - I thought it was some kind of mutant dog until I looked more closely.

I'd go with green woodpecker, the flight certainly matches, they eat ants and so are usually spotted on he ground.

They're big length-wise, but skinny.

Some good pics here, scroll down.

And here, just over half way down, shows the size.

thanks, Mr Worms

The cap and beak look right.

we had two green woodpeckers fighting over the anthill in the middle of our lawn a few days ago. at least now i know that that is what they must have been, as your description fit.