The right shape SuperGourds come in two versions: Round holes Most people choose these if they don’t have a problem with starlings, as it is sometimes easier to initially attract
purple martins
to round holes.
crescent holes
are harder for starlings to get into, and purple martins can still use them.
Do purple martins prefer gourds or houses?
We recommend it with SuperGourds, but any kind of gourds can be used Location is crucial for purple martins. Their houses need to be in an
open area
so they can sail straight into the houses from at least two directions. Put their house in the middle of your biggest open area.
What time of year do you put up martin houses?
Anytime is a good time to install a martin house Even if the birds have been around for awhile, they see the house and the chances are better for a good colony increase next year. If you put it up too late for the current season they will come back next year and pos- sibly nest.
How far apart should martin gourds be?
There is no set distance apart the martin housing should be. Fifteen feet apart is enough distance that you can easily maneuver between the two systems, although they can also be farther apart.
How high should purple martin gourds be?
Early detection will allow landlords to fix any problem before it affects the
entire martin colony
. Height and Installation of Pole: Recommended height is 12-20′ The higher the housing is placed, the more susceptible it is to wind damage.
How high should a purple martin house be off the ground?
Martin houses should be placed in an open location, at least 40 ft. from trees or buildings. Martins prefer to have clear access to houses from all sides, and like to have perching sites like utility wires nearby, but not attached to the nest box. The height of the housing can be anywhere from 12-20 ft.
What is the lifespan of a purple martin?
Purple martins have a normal lifespan of about 5 to 7 years in the wild however; it’s not out of the norm for them to reach 9 or 10 years of age. Banding studies have shown them to reach many more years than that, but that is the exception.
Do you have to clean out purple martin houses?
Don’t put your martin house up until four to six weeks after the first purple martins arrive. Once purple martins have used a martin house, they will return to it year after year. All you have to do is clean it out in fall , protect it from starlings and sparrows, and perhaps repaint it white every few years.
Do House martins return to the same nest?
Did you know? House martins will return from their African wintering grounds to the same nesting sites each year They can reuse their old nests, saving them about ten days’ work collecting mud.
How do you attract martins to a Martin house?
Build a Purple Martin House And, install your martin housing colony on birdhouse poles to get them up off the ground and away from ground predators This also applies to gourd houses as well which are great to attract martins as well.
Where do purple martins go at night?
After fledging, juvenile Purple Martins, as well as adults and subadults will congregate at a roost. Large flocks of martins gather to spend the night at these roosts, which are usually situated near water or in trees Martins will then form smaller groups and begin migration from these roosts.
How do I attract purple martins to my yard?
In addition to providing appropriate houses for purple martins, supplying proper nesting materials can help encourage them to take up residence. A nearby pile of small twigs, grass clippings, and leaves is perfect, and a muddy area is also useful as these birds use mud as a binder to hold their nests together.
Do martins mate for life?
Purple Martins are monogamous, but both sexes are highly promiscuous Once a pair bond is formed, both sexes defend the nest site intensely. Purple Martins nest in colonies, but members of the breeding colony are not related.
Which direction should purple martin house face?
The good news is that purple martins aren’t picky when it comes to direction; north, south, east, and west are all fine, as long as it’s consistent. 6.
How big should the hole be in a gourd birdhouse?
Soak the gourd in soapy water with a little bleach and then scrub the gourd with brush and steel wool. Let dry. Then drill four small holes 1/8” in the bottom of the gourd for drainage. With an adult’s help drill a 3/8” hole just inside the circle of the gourd.
Do bluebirds and purple martins get along?
And these birds are fierce competitors to the martin. Also, Tree Swallows and Bluebirds might nest in a martin house as well. But, unlike Sparrows and Starlings, Tree Swallow and Bluebirds can co-habitat with Purple Martins.
What color should a martin house be?
White is the preferred color for purple martin houses White offers maximum reflection of sunlight, which keeps the interior of the house cool so the birds can flourish and raise their young. You can paint the trim, such as the roof line and the ledges below the doors, a different color, but it is not necessary.
What do you put in a purple martin house?
Wooden housing should be made from untreated material only Wood 3/4” thick will provide better insulation against heat and cold. Cedar, cypress, or redwood works well. Plastic houses and gourds should be of thick (preferably UV-resistant) material, and should not allow light to filter through the walls.
Will purple martins nest in gourds?
It’s common knowledge that martins love a large gourd to nest in It might be the homey feel or the natural look, but whatever it is, they flock to them. Since gourds are their preferred housing, here are a few tips to make them into martin houses.
Why did my Purple Martins leave?
The most common reason martins abandon their colony site is because predators have raided their nests It only takes one foray up a martin pole by a snake or raccoon, a few nightly visits by an owl, or a few daily visits by a hawk or crow to cause all the surviving birds to abandon the site, often for- ever.
Do martins eat wasps?
Other flying insects, such as bees, wasps, beetles, mayflies and flying ants make up the majority of their diet Purple Martins are highly vulnerable to extended periods of cold and rainy weather that can temporarily reduce the supply of their insect food.
Sources
https://www.purplemartinproducts.com/
http://www.amishgourds.com/store/page/456701/
https://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/purple_martin_gourds.asp
https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Martin-Gourds/s?k=Purple+Martin+Gourds
https://www.etsy.com/market/martin_gourds