nuptial plumage

noun

, Ornithology.

1. the plumage assumed by a male bird during the courtship period, especially in those species that are more colorful at this period.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuptial plumage¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Frightful was in her nuptial plumage.

From Literature

He has not yet, moreover, attained the fullest beauty of his nuptial plumage.

From Project Gutenberg

Discussion why the males alone of some species, and both sexes of other species, are brightly coloured—On sexually-limited inheritance, as applied to various structures and to brightly-coloured plumage—Nidification in relation to colour—Loss of nuptial plumage during the winter.

From Project Gutenberg

In some analogous cases, namely with birds having a distinct summer and winter plumage, but with the two sexes nearly alike, certain closely-allied species can easily be distinguished in their summer or nuptial plumage, yet are undistinguishable in their winter as well as in their immature plumage.

From Project Gutenberg

We may admit as probable that the young have retained an ancient state of plumage; we can account through sexual selection for the summer or nuptial plumage of the adults, but how are we to account for their distinct winter plumage?

From Project Gutenberg