# woodpecker

/ˈwʊdˌpɛkɝ/ (US) · /wˈʊdpɛkɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/woodpecker
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a bird that has a strong beak and eats insects that live inside trees. It is famous for hitting the wood of trees with its beak to find food.

For teachers: any of various birds of the family Picidae, characterized by a long, chisel-like bill and a habit of pecking at tree trunks to find insects. Often used in a general sense to refer to any bird that pecks wood.

## Examples

- A woodpecker is pecking at the old oak tree.
- The rhythmic tapping of a woodpecker echoed through the forest as it searched for beetles under the bark.
- While many species of woodpecker are known for their drumming behavior, the specific frequency and pattern of the pecks vary significantly between different genera and habitats.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.