The Purple Martin
Jan 9th, 2008 by Josey
The Purple Martins (Progne subis)
The purple Martin is the largest of the swallows in North America. It is unusual because it now nests almost exclusively in human-crafted birdhouses. That is why theses pretty birds are so familiar to many people.
The Purple Martins are mostly in the eastern half of North America, but also in some areas of the west. The Purple Martins in the western part of North America, breed less frequently in association with people, preferring forest and woodlands.
Male Purple Martins are purplish blue overall, and females have dull gray under parts. These birds pursue flying insects in the air for food, often flying higher than other swallows and are a first line of defense against misquitos. They also eat egg shells which helps boost their calcium intake.
The male and female pair after they find a nesting site, and their bond with each other only lasts for only one breeding season. Purple Martins typically return to their previous successful homesites in people’s backyard birdhouses. When they approach their housing, they dive from the sky with their wings tucked at great speeds.
Purple Martins have about ten different songs. The “croak”song it the males primary courtship song, and the “chortle” song is the females’ courting vocalization. Their loudest song is its dawn song, given during early mornings to attract other Purple Martins. They use a “hee hee” call when fighting over territories. Females use “choo” calls when signaling their young. Two of their alarm calls sound like “zwrack” and “zweet”
Purple Martin houses are very popular, and they are recommended to be placed in an open area, in full sun of the day, with a white exterior for coolness.
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by: Josey Layne