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pileated

American  
[pahy-lee-ey-tid, pil-ee-] / ˈpaɪ liˌeɪ tɪd, ˈpɪl i- /

adjective

Ornithology.
  1. crested.


Etymology

Origin of pileated

First recorded in 1720–30; pileate + -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As a small-scale songbird rehabilitator I am not equipped, for instance, to take on a pileated woodpecker, which can smash its way out of any enclosure not made of steel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

Better birders than I have already debunked the “sightings” as likely being of pileated woodpeckers or red-headed woodpeckers.

From Slate • May 27, 2023

He didn’t see much wildlife of note, though he did spot a pileated woodpecker with a vibrant red head, a falcon near its nest, and a few hawks.

From Seattle Times • May 5, 2022

She realizes that her sturdy marriage thrives on space, just as the pileated woodpecker needs woodlands in which to roam.

From New York Times • May 29, 2017

Instead, what had my entire town full of hope and big ideas was what one scientist described on the news as an extremely rare group of albino woodpeckers by the name of pileated.

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley