Purple Martins

Thanks to the Master Naturalist Historic Southside Chapter and the continued work in conservation and education we have a new birdhouse in the park! ​

​This page will tell you all about the Purple Matins, what they are, why the birdhouse is important, when to expect them and more! 

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What are Purple Martins?

Purple Martins are migratory songbirds and the largest member of the swallow family in North America. They are known for their aerial acrobatics, chattering song, insect eating habits and their tolerance of humans. 

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Identification

Adult Male

Adult Female

Subadult Male

Subadult Female

• Their name comes from the iridescent purple feathers that are predominantly found on the adult males. The females are duller in color with gray on their head and chest with a light lower belly. 
  • Females are usually the hardest to identify but you can look for many solid-purple feathers on either their chins, throats, bellies or under tails.
• Purple Martins have what is called "delayed plumage maturation," meaning they take more than one year to acquire their adult plumage. In the Purple Martin's case the females take two years and the males take three years to reach their full adult plumage.
• Average Length: 7.5 inches
• Wingspan: 15-16 inches

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Habitat

• East of the Rocky Mountains, Purple Martins rely primarily on human-supplied. 
  
  • Their dependence on us to survive is what makes the birdhouse here in Windsor Castle Park so important! 
    
• Native Americans hung up empty gourds for the Purple Martins before the Europeans arrived in North America.
  
• ​When installing a Purple Martin housing it should be about 30-120 ft. from a building and at least 40-60 ft. from trees. 
  
• In the west you can find them nesting in their natural environment such as trees and cactus.

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Migration

• The eastern species, Progne subis subis, breed in North America and winter in South America.
  • The breeding grounds range from Florida through southern parts of Canada. 
  • They spend non-breeding season in seven different countries in South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, British Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.  
• The Progne subis arboricola breeds in the Pacific Northwest and Progne subis hesperia occupies the southwestern deserts of the U.S. and Mexico.​
• Before migrating south for winter the juvenile, adult and subadults will congregate at a roost. These roosts will remain active for 6 weeks or longer but the average migration group will roost an average of four weeks. 

Purple Martins Timeline:

• Adult Arrival: January - May 
  • We can see them in our region in March 
• Subadult Arrival: 4-12 weeks after adults

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Nesting

• Nest building begins 4-6 weeks after arrival.
• 1 egg per day for a total of two - seven pure white eggs
• After the next to last egg is laid females begin incubation. Only females can incubate the eggs
• The eggs will hatch 15-16 days after incubation
• Fledging occurs 26-32 days after hatching. 

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Building the Birdhouse

The Virginia Master Naturalists Historic Southside Chapter constructed the birdhouse you see in Windsor Castle Park. You can watch the slideshow to see the project from start to finish!

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Resources

Purple Martin Conservation Association
All About Birds