hairy woodpecker

noun

: a common North American woodpecker (Picoides villosus) closely resembling the downy woodpecker but larger with a longer bill

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The hairy woodpecker and the downy woodpecker are quite similar and can be difficult for novice birders to distinguish. —

John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Oct. 2021 One challenge was to discern the hairy woodpecker from its doppelganger, the downy woodpecker. —

Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 17 July 2019 Red-bellied, downy and hairy woodpeckers love peanuts, a high-protein, high-energy food, as do other songbirds. —

Evan Macdonald, cleveland.com, 25 Dec. 2017 The forest also is home to bear, coyote, deer and birds from hairy woodpeckers to red-breasted sapsuckers. —

Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, 25 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hairy woodpecker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hairy woodpecker was circa 1728

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Dictionary Entries Near hairy woodpecker

hairy willow herb

hairy woodpecker

Haisla

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hairy woodpecker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairy%20woodpecker. Accessed 5 Feb. 2023.

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