Purple Martin -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 8 inches | Wingspan: 16 inches | Seasonality: Summer |
| ID Keys: Forked tail, pointed wings, iridescent dark purple body (male) | ||
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Purple Martin
Progne subis
Purple Martins are one of the home-birders' favorites, with the multi-cavity Purple Martin house a familiar sight in residential areas throughout the eastern half of the United States. As natural nest sites have become more rare, most Purple Martins now nest in these artificial sites. The practice of attracting Purple Martins through the placement of artificial nest sites has its roots with Native American tribes, who once attracted the birds by placing gourd homes near tribal communitites.
Habitat: Can be found in a wide-variety of semi-open habitats, as long as adequate nest sites are available.
Diet: Exclusively insects. Primarily flying insects, but occasionally spiders and other insects as well.
Nesting: May and June
Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Purple Martin song
Migrations: Summers throughout much of the United States and southern Canada. A long-distance migrant in the fall, with most wintering in South America.
Similar Species: Tree Swallow
Birdhouses: Will use specially made Purple Martin houses, as well as other birdhouses.
Feeders: Breeding birds will attend for broken eggshells prior to nesting.
Status: Declining in many parts of its range, possibly due to competition with European Starlings and House Sparrows for suitable nest sites.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Purple Martin
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Purple Martin"
3) E-nature.com: Purple Martin
Photo Information: Both Photos: Summer 2002 -- Between Sioux Falls and Brandon -- Jim Vogelmann
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08