any of a family (Picidae) of piciform birds distinguished by stiff tail feathers used for support, a strong, pointed, chisel-shaped bill used for drilling holes in bark to get insects, and a long, protrusile tongue with a spearlike tip
See woodpecker in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of various usually brightly colored birds of the family Picidae, having strong claws and a stiff tail adapted for clinging to and climbing trees and a chisellike bill for drilling through bark and wood. Also called regionally peckerwood.