nuptial plumage

nuptial plumage
noun also nuptial dress
: the specialized plumage assumed by the males of many birds while the gonads are enlarging prior to the start of the annual breeding period and characterized by greater brilliance of color and form than that of the nonbreeding males — called also breeding plumage; compare eclipse plumage

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Ornith.
the plumage assumed by a male bird during the courtship period, esp. in those species that are more colorful at this period. Also called breeding plumage.
[1830-40]

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nuptial plumage,
the colorful plumage of certain male birds at the beginning of the breeding season.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • nuptial plumage — Ornith. the plumage assumed by a male bird during the courtship period, esp. in those species that are more colorful at this period. Also called breeding plumage. [1830 40] * * * …   Universalium

  • Plumage — The differences in plumage of a Blue Grosbeak, from top to bottom, between a breeding male (alternate plumage) a non breeding male (basic plumage), a female and a related Indigo Bunting Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a… …   Wikipedia

  • nuptial dress — noun see nuptial plumage …   Useful english dictionary

  • Plumage — Plume Pour les articles homonymes, voir Plume (homonymie). Schéma d une plume. Une plume est, chez les oiseaux, une production …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Plumage d'éclipse — Plume Pour les articles homonymes, voir Plume (homonymie). Schéma d une plume. Une plume est, chez les oiseaux, une production …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Plumage éclipse — Lagopède alpin (Lagopus mutus) en plumage de transition entre le plumage blanc hivernal, et brun de l été. Le plumage éclipse, plumage d éclipse ou phase d éclipse désigne le plumage que présentent les oiseaux mâles en dehors de la période de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • eclipse plumage — noun : comparatively dull plumage usually of seasonal occurrence in birds that exhibit a distinct nuptial plumage; specifically : dull plumage developed in the adult male following a postnuptial molt compare nuptial plumage * * * Ornith. the dull …   Useful english dictionary

  • breeding plumage. — See nuptial plumage. * * * …   Universalium

  • breeding plumage — noun : nuptial plumage …   Useful english dictionary

  • breeding plumage. — See nuptial plumage …   Useful english dictionary

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