NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center:What kind of bird is Woodstock? Some history on Snoopy's best friend from 'Peanuts'

The NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center"Peanuts" comic strip celebrated its 74th anniversary this year, having made its debut on Oct. 2, 1950. For the last seven-plus decades, the series has delighted audiences through various forms of media, including classic holiday specials.

It's not just Charlie Brown, the Peanuts gang is comprised of an ensemble of characters, from Charlie's curious little sister Sally to his canine companion Snoopy.

Snoopy even has his own sidekick, a little birdie named Woodstock. He first appeared in "Peanuts" on April 4, 1967 and the two's friendship has been integral to the comics since.

We know Snoopy is a beagle, but what bird is Woodstock?

What kind of bird is Woodstock?

Woodstock's species is unknown. The only identifier Woodstock has been given is that he's a little yellow bird.

"Woodstock is not a great flyer. In fact, he doesn’t even know what type of bird he is," the Peanuts' official website reads.

There has been, however, speculation over the years about what kind of bird Woodstock is. Given his yellow feathers, some believe he is a canary. When you search, "Woodstock Peanuts" on Google, his species will say "Birds, Yellow canary."

Others hypothesize that Woodstock could be a dove, possibly paying homage to the symbol used in the festival of his namesake.

Snoopy even tried to crack the case of Woodstock's classification. Over several strips, Snoopy hypothesizes Woodstock's species, guessing from a warbler to a yellow-billed cuckoo. On his final attempt, Snoopy says, "I give up! I don't know what kind of bird you are! For all I know, you're a duck!"

What kind of dog is Snoopy?Here's some history on Charlie Brown's canine companion.

Why is he called Woodstock?

Though Woodstock first appeared in the "Peanuts" comic in 1967, he wasn't named until 1970.

In the June 22, 1970 strip, Snoopy says, "I finally found out what that stupid bird's name is and you'll never believe it ... Woodstock!"

His name derives from the eponymous 1969 music and arts festival, according to the Peanuts official site.

"I’ve been drawing birds in the strip for some time-at least 10 years. Like a lot of things in the medium, suddenly your drawing starts to work," Peanuts' creator Charles Schulz said, "At one point I began to draw the bird a little better. I needed a name for him, and with the Woodstock festival being so prominent in the news, I said, 'Why not?'"

Some speculate that Woodstock got his name from Snoopy. The beagle often called Woodstock a "a bird hippie," Ohio State News reports.

Woodstock is a primary character in "Peanuts." He became Snoopy's second-in-command and their hijinks are central to the comic.

"The only thing (Woodstock) knows for sure is that he and Snoopy were destined to be great pals," the Peanuts' site reads. "He refers to Snoopy as his friend of friends, the only one in the neighborhood who understands his chirps."

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "What kind of dog is Scooby Doo?" to "What kind of fish is Dory?" to "What animal is Arthur?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.