Gorget (bird)

A gorget 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.

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

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]

Functions

A number of social functions have been suggested for the gorget. It may aid in mate attraction or in resource defense. It may signal social status or allow species to identify conspecifics.[6] Among hummingbirds, gorgets are typically found only on males. In the rare instances where they are found on females, they appear to serve primarily for signaling threats.[7]

Young hummingbirds, which need to intrude on adult territories to feed once they have fledged, all lack gorgets. This may help to make them less visible or less threatening to adult birds.[8]

References
  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.
  6. Topoff, Howard R., ed. (1987). The Natural History Reader in Animal Behavior. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 151. ISBN 0-231-06159-5.
  7. Fjeldså, Jon (1990). Birds of the High Andes. Copenhagen: Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen. p. 241. ISBN 87-88757-16-1.
  8. Power, Dennis M., ed. (1989). Current Ornithology, volume 6. New York: Springer. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-306-43056-5.


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