The Purple Martin

Purple Martins are the largest of American Swallows, about 7-8 inches in length. They have broad, pointed wings and short, slightly notched tails. They feed on flying insects.

The Male is entirely blue-black; the female is bluish black on the back, with a dingy gray brown chest, paler gray belly and gray collar around the back of the neck.

Native Americans hung up empty gourds for the Purple Martin before Europeans arrived in North America.Purple Martins in eastern North America now nest almost exclusively in birdhouses, but those in the West use mostly natural cavities.

Despite the term "scout" used for the first returning Purple Martins, the first arriving individuals are not checking out the area to make sure it is safe for the rest of the group. They are the older martins returning to areas where they nested before. Martins returning north to breed for their first time come back several weeks later. The earlier return of older individuals is a common occurrence in species of migratory birds.

Listen! Click here to hear what Purple Martins sound like.

The Purple Martin is unusual among birds that use nest boxes; several pairs will nest in a single box with multiple compartments. However, one male will attempt to defend multiple compartments. Western martins are less likely to use boxes with multiple compartments.

The Purple Martin not only gets all its food in flight, it gets all its water that way too. It skims the surface of a pond and scoops up the water with its lower bill.

Come to Wild Birds Unlimited and check out our selection of Martin Houses, Gourd Systems and poles.

For more information on Purple Martins go to www.purplemartin.org