The Purple Martins officially returned to the
pmca colony sites
on April 12th. We spotted two adult males and one female at our
west pier site
, two adult males at our Rotary Pavilion site, and one adult male at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center location.
Do you have to clean purple martin houses every year?
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.
Are purple martins federally protected?
Purple Martins are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act , making it illegal to posess them unless you are a certified wildlife rehabilitator.
When should I put out my purple martin house?
Purple martins will readily find nesting sites that are in proper locations.
nest boxes
should be in place preferably in late March, but no later than April 15 Erect nest boxes on a pole at a height of 12 to 20 feet. Place boxes in open areas so that birds have access to them from all sides.
When should I expect my purple martins?
Purple Martins are probably leisurely migrants that fly only during the day and forage as they go. Nonetheless, they are one of the earliest South American migrants to arrive in the spring, reaching Florida as early as mid-January and New England in mid-April.
Why are purple martins declining?
Widespread pesticide use and collisions with
man-made structures
are among the factors contributing to this species’ decline. In addition, aggressive introduced species such as House Sparrows and European Starlings out-compete martins for nest sites.
What is killing my purple martins?
conditions, blackflies, blowflies, nest mites, fleas, and mosquitoes can become so numerous in and around a martin’s nest, that they weaken and kill their hosts. Sometimes, martin houses get so overrun with nest mites that parent martins refuse to enter their compartments to feed their young.
How long does a Purple Martin live?
“Most martins probably live only 2-5 years” (http://www. span of life of the Purple Martin is between 0 and 13 years, nine months , at least, and even beyond perhaps.”.
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.
What direction should a 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.
Will Purple Martins run off other birds?
They bother the martins by continually running them off and if the martins do get to lay eggs, both of these birds will go from compartment to compartment, destroying the eggs and young and taking over the nesting cavities.
Why are Purple Martins important?
Everything but mosquitos, it seems. They eat a wide variety of larger-flying insects including beetles, flies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, wasps and bees. Recent research has revealed that martins do provide an important insect control service after all. They hoover up as many flying fire ant queens as they can.
Do Purple Martins get along with other birds?
Competition for nesting sites and predators that want to get into their nests make purple martins vulnerable to attack. Gentle birds by nature, purple martins have a difficult time with more aggressive (and non-native) birds like European Starlings and House Sparrows who drive them away from their nesting spaces.
Will bluebirds nest in purple martin house?
The short answer… yes, House Sparrows and European Starlings are known for invading and taking up residence in Purple Martin birdhouses. And these birds are fierce competitors to the martin. Also, Tree Swallows and Bluebirds might nest in a martin house as well.
How do I attract Purple Martins?
The birds will be naturally attracted to homes painted white , which also reflect heat better and keep nestlings in each
house cooler
. Both apartment-style houses and gourd houses are available, and creating clusters of houses will encourage large colonies of the birds to nest.
Where is the best place to put a purple martin house?
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.
Where do Purple Martins go for the winter?
Purple Martins migrate to South America for the winter, but before leaving, they may gather to roost in groups of thousands in late summer. Has declined seriously in parts of the west, and currently declining in the east.
How close can Purple Martin houses 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.
Why are Purple Martins dependent on humans?
Unlike many birds, purple martins rely on humans to provide structures for them to nest in In early America, the Native Americans realized that martins could serve as sentinels and warn of dangers. To encourage the presence of purple martins, Native Americans constructed gourd bird houses and hung them on high poles.
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.
Sources
https://pmcila.org/
http://www.birdwatching.com/tips/purplemartin_attracting.html