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

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.

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

Read more on Slate

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

Read more on New York Times

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

Read more on Seattle Times

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.

Read more on Seattle Times