A gorget is a patch of colored feathersfound on the throat or upper breast of some species of birds. It is a feature found on many male hummingbirds, particularly those found in North America; these gorgets are typicallyiridescent. Other species, such as thepurple-throated fruitcrow and chukar partridge, also show the feature. The term is derived from the gorget used in military armor to protect the throat.

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