Gorget (bird)

Like many hummingbirds, the male Costa's hummingbird has an iridescent gorget.

A gorget (/ˈɡɔːrdʒɪt/ GOR-jit) is a patch of colored feathers found on the throat or upper breast of some species of birds.[1] It is a feature found on many male hummingbirds, particularly those found in North America; these gorgets are typically iridescent.[2] Other species, such as the purple-throated fruitcrow[3] and chukar partridge, also show the feature.[4] The term is derived from the gorget used in military armor to protect the throat (which is called gorge in French).

Feather wear and exposure to the sun can produce changes in the apparent color of iridescent gorget feathers. For example, fresh gorget feathers on the Anna's hummingbird are rose red; these fade to a coppery bronzy color with age.[5]

  1. ^ Campbell, Bruce; Lack, Elizabeth, eds. (1985). A Dictionary of Birds. Calton, Staffs, England: T & A D Poyser. p. 254. ISBN 0-85661-039-9.
  2. ^ Howell, Steve N. G. (2002). Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide. Academic Press. p. 1. ISBN 0-12-356955-9.
  3. ^ Ridgely, Robert S.; Tudor, Guy; Brown, William L. (1994). The Birds of South America: The suboscine passerines. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. p. 771. ISBN 0-292-77063-4.
  4. ^ Christensen, Glen C. (1970). The Chukar Partridge: Its Introduction, Life History and Management. Reno, NV: Nevada Department of Fish and Game. p. 33.
  5. ^ Williamson, Sheri (2001). A Field Guide to the Hummingbirds of North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin. p. 30. ISBN 0-618-02496-4.