pileated woodpecker

noun

1. a large, black-and-white American woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, having a prominent red crest.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pileated woodpecker¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

If you’ve seen a pileated woodpecker—a thriving cousin of the ivory-billed—you know they are huge.

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A pileated woodpecker swooping tree to tree drew me to the school.

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Anderson says “hard excavators,” such as the pileated woodpecker and northern flicker, will begin the process by hollowing out holes searching for insects.

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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.

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The Washington Post published a front-page photo of her in a Karuk dress of dried bear grass, a woven basket cap and a white leather sash adorned with Pileated woodpecker scalps.

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