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Glite Dictionary
Sphyrapicus

Sphyrapicus

9.9
A group of woodpeckers in North America that feed on tree sap
  • noun
  • /ˈsfɪrəpɪkəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sphyrapicus
  • The Sphyrapicus genus includes several species of sapsuckers.

Examples

  • The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a member of the Sphyrapicus genus.

  • Researchers tagged several Sphyrapicus individuals to study their feeding habits in temperate forests.

  • Four species of Sphyrapicus are found in North America, each with different migration patterns.

  • Did you see a Sphyrapicus at the park yesterday?

  • Four species of Sphyrapicus are found in North America, each with different migration patterns.

  • The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a member of the Sphyrapicus genus.

  • Researchers tagged several Sphyrapicus individuals to study their feeding habits in temperate forests.

Synonyms

sapsucker
vsSphyrapicus
  • US
3 9.6

A small woodpecker that makes rows of holes in trees to drink sap from apple or maple trees

is the scientific genus name used by biologists for that group

Compounds

Sphyrapicus varius
  • Specialized
9.9

A woodpecker with a pale yellow belly that drills tree bark for sap and insects

Sphyrapicus varius ruber
  • Specialized
9.9

A small woodpecker with a bright red head found in western North America

Surface Forms

Sphyrapicus singular
Sphyrapici plural

Etymology

Sphyrapicus comes from the Greek root sphyra meaning 'hammer' and the Latin word picus meaning 'woodpecker'. So Sphyrapicus is like a 'hammer-woodpecker', a good image for birds that hammer and peck tree bark to feed.