Purple Martins are beloved backyard birds that migrate north each spring from South America to breed across much of North America. These aerial acrobats put on dazzling midair displays as they swoop and dive to catch insects. Their fluid, graceful flight stands out from other swallows and swifts. And their gurgling, chattering calls are a welcome sound of spring.
To attract these migratory swallows to nest in your yard, you’ll need to put up a suitable Purple Martin house before they arrive in early spring. The exact timing depends on where you live and weather patterns each year. But there are some general guidelines to follow.
When do Purple Martins migrate north?
Purple Martins winter in Brazil and surrounding countries in South America. They start heading north as early as January. The first Purple Martins reach the southernmost U.S. Gulf states in late January and early February.
Over the next 2-3 months, the martins’ migration progresses northward. They reach the middle latitudes of North America by March and early April. And they arrive in Canada and Alaska by May.
The timing of the migration varies by region and is influenced by winter and spring weather patterns. Mild winters and warm, dry spring weather may cause earlier migration. Cold snaps and storms can stall the migration or push it later.
On average, here are the spring arrival times for Purple Martins in different regions:
- Southern U.S. states: January to March
- Southern Midwest: Late March to mid-April
- Northern Midwest: Mid-April to early May
- Northeast U.S. and southern Canada: Early May
- Northern Canada and Alaska: Mid-May
When to put up martin housing by state
To narrow down the best time to put up martin housing in your area, consult this table of average Purple Martin arrival dates by state:
| State | Average Arrival Date |
| Alabama | Early February |
| Alaska | Mid-May |
| Arizona | Early March |
| Arkansas | Mid-March |
| California | Early March |
| Colorado | Early April |
| Connecticut | Early May |
| Delaware | Early April |
| Florida | Late January |
| Georgia | Late February |
| Idaho | Late April |
| Illinois | Mid-April |
| Indiana | Mid-April |
| Iowa | Late April |
| Kansas | Late March |
| Kentucky | Early April |
| Louisiana | Early March |
| Maine | Early May |
| Maryland | Mid-April |
| Massachusetts | Early May |
| Michigan | Late April |
| Minnesota | Early May |
| Mississippi | Late February |
| Missouri | Early April |
| Montana | Mid-May |
| Nebraska | Late April |
| Nevada | Mid-March |
| New Hampshire | Early May |
| New Jersey | Early April |
| New Mexico | Early March |
| New York | Early May |
| North Carolina | Early March |
| North Dakota | Late May |
| Ohio | Mid-April |
| Oklahoma | Early March |
| Oregon | Late March |
| Pennsylvania | Early April |
| Rhode Island | Early May |
| South Carolina | Early March |
| South Dakota | Late May |
| Tennessee | Early March |
| Texas | Late February |
| Utah | Early April |
| Vermont | Early May |
| Virginia | Early April |
| Washington | Early April |
| West Virginia | Early April |
| Wisconsin | Early May |
| Wyoming | Early May |
Guidelines for timing
Based on typical Purple Martin arrival dates, here are some general guidelines for when to put up martin housing:
- Southern states: Late January/early February
- Mid-south states: February/early March
- Midwest: Mid-March to early April
- Northeast and mid-Atlantic: Late March/early April
- Northern states and Canada: Mid-April to early May
Ideally, martin housing should be up 1-2 weeks before the birds arrive in your area. This gives the early scout martins time to discover and claim the new housing.
Other tips for timing
- If you already have Purple Martins nesting in your yard, aim to put housing up on the same date each year. Martins are site faithful and will look for housing in the same spot.
- In southern locations, put up multiple compartments over time. This gives martins that arrive at different times a better chance to claim a compartment.
- Track and record martin arrival dates in your area each year. Use this data to establish the best time to put up housing annually.
- Err on the side of putting housing up early rather than late. It’s better to have housing waiting for martins than to miss the early arrivals.
Preparing the housing
To get housing ready for the martins’ arrival:
- Take down old nests and thoroughly clean the house with soap and water before each season.
- Make any needed repairs to cracks, holes, porches, etc.
- Apply fresh paint or preservative if needed.
- Assemble and mount the martin house if it was taken down for winter storage.
- Install predator guards to prevent access by owls, raccoons, snakes, etc.
Aim to have the house cleaned, repaired, and ready to be put up at least 1-2 weeks before the martins arrive. This will ensure you don’t miss the chance to attract the earliest nesting pairs.
Where to place martin housing
To increase your success at attracting a Purple Martin colony:
- Place the martin house where it is widely visible – preferably 30-120 feet from the home near the center of the yard.
- Position the house so the entrance holes face morning sun but have shade in the heat of mid-day.
- Mount the house on a pole 15-20 feet high. Locate the pole at least 30-60 feet from trees and wires.
- Make sure the house is not blocked from view by buildings, trees or shrubs.
Why placement matters
Purple Martins want housing that is high up with a clear flight path free of obstructions. Open surroundings give them the aerial space they need to catch insects on the wing. A house that is centrally placed in the yard is also easier for multiple martins to see as they scout for nest sites.
Attracting martins to new housing
It can take patience to convince Purple Martins to take up residence in a new martin house. Here are some tips to attract them:
- Keep the house freshly painted – martins prefer white or light colors.
- Install bright, colorful decoys of martins on the porches.
- Play recordings of martin dawn song to draw scouts to check it out.
- Add reflective plates, pie pans, or aluminum strips near the entrances.
- Leave last year’s nests inside empty compartments to show prior use.
With persistence over 2-3 seasons, martins are likely to discover and occupy the new housing in your yard.
When should houses be taken down?
Purple Martin houses should be kept up into late summer, even after the nesting season ends. Here are guidelines for when to take down martin housing in different regions:
- Northern states and Canada: Take down in late August/early September
- Midwest: Take down in mid-September
- Northeast: Take down in late September
- Mid-Atlantic and South: Take down end of September/early October
This allows time for all martins to fully fledge and leave the nest. It also provides housing into the early fall migration period for migrating martins stopping to roost.
Houses should be taken down before cool fall weather sets in. Leaving houses up too late in the year can expose martins to harsh weather and predation.
Tips for taking down houses
- On takedown day, plug all holes and remove porches so martins can’t re-enter.
- To deter stragglers, partially cover holes with cloth or cardboard.
- Carefully remove nests, checking for any leftover eggs or nestlings.
- Clean, disinfect and make any repairs promptly after takedown.
Conclusion
Attracting Purple Martins requires having suitable housing up in advance of their return each spring. Timing is key to having housing ready and waiting for the first scouts to arrive and claim nest sites.
Aim to have freshly cleaned and repaired martin houses in place 1-2 weeks before martins normally show up in your location. Position houses where they are visible, accessible, and safe from predators. Be patient, as it may take a few seasons to entice martins to adopt and fill all the new compartments.
With proper timing and care to provide inviting housing, you can look forward to many years of enjoying these amazing aerialists gracing your yard with their presence!
