There’s many a good cock…

There’s many a good cock come out of a tattered bag.

A proverb

Rooster (cock)

A rooster, also called a cock or chanticleer is a male chicken (Gallus gallus), the female being called a hen. Immature male chickens of less than a year’s age are called cockerels. The oldest term is “cock”, from Old English coc.

Have you seen this bird?

“Cock” is in general use as the name for a male of other species of bird, for example “Cock sparrow”.

The rooster is polygamous, but cannot guard several nests of eggs at once. He guards the general area where his hens are nesting, and will attack other roosters who enter his territory.

The rooster is often (accurately) pictured in art as crowing at the break of dawn. He can often be seen sitting on fence posts or other objects, where he crows to proclaim his territory. However, a rooster might crow at any time of day, if he looks into the sun – even sometimes on a bright moonlit night.