ivory-billed woodpecker

noun

ivo·​ry-billed woodpecker ˈī-v(ə-)rē-ˈbild- 

: a very large black-and-white woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) of the southeastern U.S. and Cuba that has a showy red crest in the male and is presumed extinct in the U.S.

Illustration of ivory-billed woodpecker

• ivory-billed woodpecker

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ivory-billed woodpecker

noun

ivo·​ry-billed woodpecker

ˌīv-(ə-)rē-ˌbild-

: a large black-and-white woodpecker of the southeastern U.S. that has a large whitish bill and in the male a pointed bunch of red feathers on the head and that is thought to be extinct