red-headed woodpecker

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of red-headed woodpecker¹

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

This consoled the failed quest for the red-headed woodpecker.

From Washington Post

The prettiest species — and probably the one you are least likely to see — is the red-headed woodpecker.

From Washington Post

Most woodpecker species are doing all right, but the red-headed woodpecker, which is migratory and hoards acorns, is not.

From Washington Post

Eighteen birds, including the red-headed woodpecker, Baltimore oriole, barn owls, woodcocks and yellow-billed cuckoos, thrive in the oak savanna.

From Washington Times