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Glite Dictionary
lesser spotted woodpecker

lesser spotted woodpecker

7.7
A small black and white bird that pecks holes in trees
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : pájaro carpintero menor moteado
  • The lesser spotted woodpecker is a small bird with distinctive black and white markings.

Examples

  • We were excited to spot a pair of lesser spotted woodpeckers nesting near the river.

  • The distinctive call of the lesser spotted woodpecker can often be heard in old woodlands.

  • The lesser spotted woodpecker is quite rare in this area.

  • The lesser spotted woodpecker is known for its unique markings.

  • Did you see the lesser spotted woodpecker in the park?

  • We spotted a lesser spotted woodpecker drilling into a tree during our hike.

  • The lesser spotted woodpecker has a barred back that sets it apart from other woodpecker species.

Synonyms

woodpecker
vslesser spotted woodpecker
21 1.4

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

is a small species with distinctive black and white markings and a barred back

Surface Forms

lesser spotted woodpecker singular
lesser spotted woodpeckers plural

Morphology

lesser + spotted + woodpecker

The phrase is fully compositional: 'lesser' = smaller/lesser in size, 'spotted' = having spots, and 'woodpecker' = the bird, so together they describe a small, spotted woodpecker species. This adjective+adjective+noun pattern is a standard descriptive construction found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Lesser spotted woodpecker is a simple name that describes the bird: lesser shows it is smaller, spotted shows it has spots, and woodpecker shows it pecks at trees, so the name means 'a small woodpecker with spots'.