gorget

animal communication

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "gorget" has multiple meanings. In historical contexts, it refers to a piece of armor protecting the throat or an ornamental collar. It can also describe a part of a wimple that covers the throat and shoulders.1

In the context of animal communication, a gorget specifically refers to a patch of iridescent feathers on the throat of certain birds, most notably hummingbirds. These colorful throat patches are often displayed by males, particularly during courtship rituals.21

Animal communication itself is the process by which one animal provides information, through signals, that another animal can use in its decision-making. These signals can take various forms, including sounds, colors, postures, movements, or even chemical odors.3

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hummingbird
Natural history
…most typical badge is the gorget, a bib of iridescent feathers the colour of which depends on the viewing angle. Other specializations include crests; abbreviated or thickened shafts of wing feathers; spatulate, wiry, or flaglike tail feathers; and “pantaloons,” tufts of puffy feathers on the thighs (usually white).
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…most typical badge is the gorget, a bib of iridescent feathers the colour of which depends on the viewing angle. Other specializations include crests; abbreviated or thickened shafts of wing feathers; spatulate, wiry, or flaglike tail feathers; and “pantaloons,” tufts of puffy feathers on the thighs (usually white).
Read More