woodpecker

noun

wood·​peck·​er ˈwu̇d-ˌpe-kər 

: any of numerous birds (family Picidae) with zygodactyl feet, stiff spiny tail feathers used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a usually extensible tongue, a very hard bill used to drill the bark or wood of trees for insect food or to excavate nesting cavities, and generally showy parti-colored plumage

Illustration of woodpecker

Examples of woodpecker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By foraging in these areas, the woodpeckers control insect populations and contribute to the balance of the ecosystem. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

Mark shares that this is his first time encountering an elf owl and explains how these tiny, docile birds lead secluded lives, often nesting in saguaro cactus cavities made by woodpeckers. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024

With its canyons, mountains and desert landscapes, the national monument serves as a habitat for a variety of animals, including desert bighorn sheep, Gila woodpeckers and Agassiz’s desert tortoises. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025

Elf owls typically nest in cavities, such as old woodpecker tree holes, that provide relief from heat and protection from rain and predators. —Leslie Katz, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing woodpecker

• acorn woodpecker
• downy woodpecker
• hairy woodpecker
• ivory-billed woodpecker
• pileated woodpecker
• red-bellied woodpecker
• red-cockaded woodpecker

Kids Definition

woodpecker

noun

wood·​peck·​er -ˌpek-ər 

: any of numerous brightly marked birds with strong claws and stiff tail feathers used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a long flexible tongue, and a very hard bill used to drill into trees to get insects for food and to dig out holes for nesting