red-cockaded woodpecker

noun red-cock·ad·ed woodpecker

Definition of red-cockaded woodpecker

: an endangered chiefly black-and-white woodpecker (Picoides borealis) of the southeastern U.S. having a barred back, white cheek patches, and in the male a small tuft of red feathers on each side of the head

Recent Examples of red-cockaded woodpecker from the Web

Both Florida Trail and Mount Carrie Wayside are short loop trails and a favorite for bird watchers seeking the red-cockaded woodpeckers.

— amy aumick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Columbia County: Finding the great outdoors in Osceola National Forest," 7 May 2018
The preserve represents the largest single piece of Florida panther habitat,as well as important habitat for a wide range of other species, including red-cockaded woodpeckers, wading birds, bobcats, deer and alligators.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Oil search resumes at Big Cypress," 12 Apr. 2018
As for the bird count in Jones State Forest, organizers were delighted with sightings of several red-cockaded woodpeckers, according to Debbie Layer, who led the bird count in the forest.

— john s. marshall, Houston Chronicle, "Birds not usually seen locally spotted during annual Audubon bird count," 28 Dec. 2017

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