Gorget (bird)

A gorget (/ˈɡɔːrdʒɪt/ GOR-jit) is a patch of colored feathers found on the throat or upper breast of some species of birds.

[4] The term is derived from the gorget used in military armor to protect the throat (which is called gorge in French).

For example, fresh gorget feathers on the Anna's hummingbird are rose red; these fade to a coppery bronzy color with age.

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.