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Glite Dictionary
downy woodpecker

downy woodpecker

7.8
A small North American bird with black and white feathers that pecks trees for insects
  • noun
  • /ˈdaʊni ˈwʊdˌpɛkər/
  • US
translation icon : pájaro carpintero lanoso

Examples

  • Chickadees here and there, a pair of downy woodpeckers, two white-throated sparrows, a cardinal, and a cooperative hermit thrush.

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  • A downy woodpecker can often be seen clinging to tree bark in search of insects.

  • During the spring, the male downy woodpecker drums on tree trunks to attract a mate.

  • Many bird watchers enjoy spotting the downy woodpecker due to its distinctive black and white feathers.

Synonyms

woodpecker
vsdowny woodpecker
21 1.4

A bird with a strong beak that makes holes in trees to find insects

is a small North American species with black and white plumage and short bill

Surface Forms

downy woodpecker singular
downy woodpeckers plural

Morphology

downy + woodpecker

The meaning is directly compositional: 'downy' describes the plumage (soft, covered with fine feathers) and 'woodpecker' names the bird, so a learner who knows both words will infer it is a woodpecker with downy feathers — essentially a kind/kind of woodpecker. Specific taxonomic details (small size, short bill) require extra knowledge but do not block the basic, predictable meaning.

Etymology

Downy woodpecker comes from its look: downy means 'soft, fluffy' feathers and a woodpecker is a bird that 'pecks at trees' to find insects. So the name simply describes a small woodpecker with soft feathers that pecks on wood for food.