Purple martins are the largest member of the swallow family in North America and a favorite among bird enthusiasts. These aerial acrobats put on quite a show, skillfully swooping through the sky to catch insects. Their musical chirps and gurgles make for a pleasant backyard soundscape. Purple martins are also loved by gardeners because they eat mosquitoes, flies, moths, and more. One study found that a colony of purple martins can consume up to 2,000 flying insects each hour!
If you’d like to attract purple martins to your yard, here are some tips to get started:
Provide Appropriate Housing
Purple martins are synanthropic, meaning they have become dependent on human-supplied housing. In the wild, they nest in cavities like old woodpecker holes. But purple martins have adapted to using artificial nest boxes and gourds provided by people.
Purple martins prefer elevated housing placed in open areas with clear flight paths. They do not like housing that is shaded or too close to trees. Mount houses on poles 15-20 feet off the ground. Make sure the entrance holes face morning sun and prevailing winds. This helps keep the interior air dry and ventilated.
Multi-compartment houses work best to accommodate breeding pairs. Have at least 6-12 compartments that are 6″ x 6″ x 6″ or larger. Install guardrails in front of compartments to prevent sparrows from taking over. Regularly clean out old nests and parasites.
Types of Purple Martin Houses
- Wooden houses – cedar and pine resist weathering
- Aluminum houses – lightweight and durable
- Gourds – natural housing grown as birdhouses
- Martin apartment buildings – multiple units
Position a combination of housing types to attract a larger population.
Offer Open Habitat
Purple martins need open flying room around their housing. They hunt on the wing, catching insects in midair. Dense trees are difficult to navigate when chasing bugs.
The most attractive yards have:
- Clear skies above housing
- Mowed lawns
- Few trees
- Ponds or lakes nearby
If your yard is surrounded by trees, consider limbing up low branches 6-10 feet off the ground. This clears the flight paths.
Put Out Nesting Materials
Purple martins construct nests out of mud, twigs, leaves, and grasses. You can encourage nest building by providing natural materials. Place a shallow tray of damp soil mix on the ground or mount it on a pole near the martin house.
Other materials purple martins use include:
- Twine
- Shredded paper
- Dry grass
- Straw
- Feathers
- Hair clippings
Offer an assortment and see what they prefer. Just be sure the items can’t blow away. Change out wet mud regularly to deter parasites.
Add Perches
Purple martins like to perch before entering their house. Place wooden dowels or branches near housing entrances. Avoid metal perches, as they can get hot in the sun.
Add 6-10 perches around the yard so martins have spots to rest and scout for insects. The birds will sit on wires, fences, and railings too. Position perches:
- Within 30 feet of the martin house
- 5-10 feet off the ground
- Above mowed lawns or open space
- Where birds have views in multiple directions
Offer Artificial Lighting
Some purple martin landlords find that adding artificial lighting attracts more birds. The light stimulates insect activity, creating an enticing feeding environment. The most common options are:
Dawn/Dusk Lighting
Use LED lights on timers to extend daylight hours. Turn lights on before sunrise and off after sunset. This allows martins to catch more flying insects.
Night Lighting
Install a low-wattage bulb to shine on the martin housing at night. The light will draw in moths and other insects. Just be sure outdoor lights are not too bright to disturb neighbors.
Supplement Food & Water
Purple martins feed exclusively on insects caught in flight. You can provide backup food sources with:
Mealworm Feeders
Hang feeders filled with live mealworms. Adjust hooks so martins can reach the worms but not other birds. Bring feeders indoors at night.
Birdbaths
Add a birdbath, fountain, or mister to supply fresh water. Position water sources:
- Within 30 feet of martin housing
- 2-3 feet deep
- Elevated or with perches at water level
Change water daily to prevent mosquito breeding. Include water features like drippers or sprays. Martins use these midair perches to drink on the wing.
Use Decoys & Audio to Attract Birds
Purple martins are communal birds that nest in groups. You can lure them in using decoys and audio of martin sounds.
Decoys
Place plastic/wooden martin decoys on housing porches and nearby perches. Start with 2-3 decoys and slowly increase over time. This convinces scouts that other martins are already using the site.
Audio Systems
Play audio recordings of purple martin dawn song and nestling calls. Use speakers near the housing from early spring through breeding season. Turn off systems after eggs hatch to prevent disturbing residents.
Limit Competition from Other Birds
The biggest threats to purple martins are invasive house sparrows and European starlings. These aggressive species take over cavities before martins return from migration.
Here are some tips to guard against takeovers:
- Block entrance holes in winter to prevent use by sparrows/starlings.
- Install porches that martins can enter but sparrows cannot.
- Frequently monitor compartments and evict competing birds.
- Trap and humanely euthanize repeat offenders.
House wrens may puncture martin eggs. Monitor for wrens and remove any nests they build in/near martin housing.
When to Expect Purple Martins
Purple martins migrate north to breed each spring. They winter in South America east of the Andes mountains.
Here are typical spring arrival dates:
Southern States | Late January – Mid-February |
---|---|
Midwest States | Mid-March – Early April |
Northern States | Late April – Early May |
Set up martin housing and start attracting techniques 1-2 months before your area’s expected arrival time.
The martin breeding season lasts through summer. Most birds leave for winter migration by late July – Mid-August. Leave housing up into fall in case late nesters need it.
Enjoy the Show!
With proper habitat and some preparations, you can attract these aerial acrobats to nest and raise young in your yard. Observing purple martins coming and going from their housing provides hours of entertainment. Listen for their gurgling courting songs and watch them expertly catch insects. Purple martins are a delight to have and will actively protect your yard from pesky flying pests. Follow these tips to turn your property into a purple martin paradise!
Conclusion
Attracting purple martins to your yard takes a combination of proper housing, open habitat, nesting materials, perches, food/water sources, and attractants like decoys and audio lures. It also requires actively managing competing species. But the benefits are well worth the effort. A successful purple martin colony can control thousands of flying insects each day. And their graceful aerial maneuvers and bubbly songs add beauty and vitality to the landscape. By meeting the martins’ needs and excluding intruders, you can provide a safe haven that martins will return to year after year. With a well-managed setup, you’ll have the joy of watching these deep purple swallows hunt, breed, and raise young in your backyard.