A member of the swallow family, Martins are a popular bird with bird watchers
and back yard enthusiasts. In particular, the Purple Martin is by far the
most popular. Native to the Americas, Martins are migratory birds. Each Fall
they travel south thousands of miles to make their winter home in Central
and South America. In the spring, they return to North America and can be
found well into Canada.
Martins are cavity dwelling birds. Originally, they made their homes in holes
in trees. They prefer to live in groups, called "colonies". With the arrival
of English Sparrows to North America, Martins often rely on help from humans
who provide Purple Martin Houses and habitat. Sparrows do not migrate, and
take over martin nests in the Fall. If allowed, they quickly move into a
new martin house set up in the spring. Aggressive sparrows and starlings
will also destroy martin eggs and newly hatched birds. Martin lovers erect
martin houses, and strive to evict any sparrows or starlings that try
to move in.
Purple Martin Houses:
The very first thing you need is a Purple Martin House. Martins like to have
other martins as neighbors. That's why Martin House have multiple units,
also called compartments or "apartments". Select a multi-unit house
on a long(tall) pole. It should be placed in the yard at least 30 feet away
from houses, other objects, and trees. If you have a lot of open space,
even larger distances is preferable. The house should be ideally located
Your Martin House should have at least 6 to 8 units. The most popular houses
hold 24 units for nesting pairs. That's a community of 48 birds, plus babies!
There should be a "porch" in front of each compartment. The house should
be easy to clean out. As the "landlord", you will want to play an active
role in keeping the units clean, and to remove nests of sparrows or starlings,
so there is a room to rent for the martins when they arrive. Even if
one sparrow is in one of the units, martins will not move in.
As the "landlords", we recommend you take down the Martin house for the winter,
clean it up and make any necessary repairs. Then, put back up on the pole
just before returning "scouts" come searching for a home in the spring.
Did you know? Gourds are also popular for cavity dwelling martins.
Birdhouse gourds and other gourds can be dried, hollowed out, and hung on
poles. Like Martin houses, they will also attract sparrows and starlings.
Purple Martin Food:
Purple Martins' diet consists primarily of insects. Purple Martins are
renowned for their appetite for mosquitos. Many homeowners and bird lovers
erect a Purple Martin house to attract this natural "mosquito control" bird.
Studies show an adult Purple Martin can consume over 2,000 mosquitos a day.
On a given day, however, martins will consume a wide variety of insects,
and only a fraction of that is mosquitos. Other insects on their diet include:
dragonflies, flies, beetles, moths, ants, grasshoppers, and even bees and
Don't plan on seeing a martin at your bird feeder. They do not eat seeds.
In rare situations of bad weather or when food is scarce, you may find them
on the ground searching for worms, grubs, and other bugs.
How to attract Purple Martins:
When it comes to attracting Purple Martins, think shelter, food, and safety.
You've probably already decided to buy and erect a Purple Martin House. Older
birds will return year after year to the same house. You want to attract
a bird that was born last year, and is searching for your house. Strategically
placed in an open area, your house will be spotted by returning "scouts".
They will return to the main flock and bring their "pals'. With a little
luck, you will soon have several nesting pairs that take up residence and
return year after year. It is not always easy to get your first tenets. But,
once you do, they will return year after year.
Place a little nesting material in each compartment. Also, have nesting material
lying around, in easy to spot places. Pine needles, straw, dried weeds and
tiny twigs work well.
Important: Be vigilant in watching for sparrows and starlings attempting
to "move in" prior to the arrival of the Purple Martins. If any do move in,
clean out the house and continue to do so.
Martins have a variety of enemies. If possible, takes steps to remove these
Hawks and Owls- Natural predators
Sparrows and Starlings- they move into the houses, and they destroy martin