red-headed woodpecker

American  

noun

1. a black and white North American woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, having a red head and neck.

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Etymology

Origin of red-headed woodpecker

An Americanism dating back to 1720–30

Example Sentences

Keep your head on a swivel for a flash of color, and you just might see a yellow-billed cuckoo, green heron or red-headed woodpecker.

From Washington Post • Sep. 15, 2022

A red-headed woodpecker works on a tree in Nebraska.

From National Geographic • Nov. 5, 2016

"Hey Chris, bet you don't know the Latin name of the red-headed woodpecker."

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

Now, there’s a red-headed woodpecker making the thing swing, and cardinals dot the forest scrub with red coats, waiting until the bigger birds have their fill.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King

The same robin bullied the red-headed woodpecker, and flew at the kingbird when he brought his young family up to taste the raspberries.

From Little Brothers of the Air by Miller, Olive Thorne