Purple Martins consume large quantities of insects including mosquitoes, house flies, wasps, beetles and dragonflies. The Purple Martin is the largest of the swallow family.
The Purple Martin arrives in the southern states from their winter quarters in Central and South America late in January. Their movement north is leisurely, generally arriving in the northern states in mid-April.
Purple Martins spend the non-breeding season in Brazil then migrate to North America to nest. East of the Rockies they are totally dependent on human-supplied housing. West of the Rockies and in the deserts they largely nest in their ancestral ways, in abandoned woodpecker nest cavities. In the Pacific northwest, Martins are beginning to use gourds and clusters of single-unit boxes for nesting.
Martins prefer to live in colonies. This is why martin houses are designed like apartment houses.
Male scouts precede the advancing flock selecting nesting sites. Your martin house should be installed prior to the arrival of these scouts per the Purple Martin migration map arrival dates for your area.
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The location of your martin house is very important. Your martin house should be placed in an area that is open for approximately 25 feet on at least three sides.
Houses should be mounted on a pole and elevated to a height ranging from 12-18 feet from the ground. In order to facilitate easier cleaning of the house, make sure that the pole can be lowered without removing it from the ground.
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Over one million North Americans put up housing for Purple Martins. Unfortunately, many are unable to attract breeding martins. If you manage the site properly, once martins nest at your location they will come back every year.
more about Martineering... |
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