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Purple Martin

Progne subis

Soaring through skies from North to South America, this largest swallow in the New World dazzles with its aerial acrobatics and vibrant plumage.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

Purple Martins are the largest North American swallows. Adult males are unmistakable, with their glossy, iridescent purple-blue plumage covering most of their body. Their wings and tail are black, creating a striking contrast.

Females and immature birds are less colorful, with a mix of grey and brown upperparts and lighter underparts. They often have a faint collar and some purple sheen, though not as pronounced as in males.

Size

Length

18cm to 20cm

Wingspan

38cm to 46cm

Weight

45g to 60g

Colours

Primary Colour

Iridescent Purple Blue

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Grey White

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Purple Martin can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Purple Martin can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Purple Martin can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Purple Martin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Purple Martins breed across much of North America, from southern Canada to Mexico. They prefer open areas near water, including fields, parks, and wetlands. In eastern North America, they almost exclusively nest in human-provided housing.

During winter, Purple Martins migrate to South America, primarily to Brazil and surrounding countries. They can be found in both rural and urban areas, often roosting in large numbers in city centers before continuing their journey.

Elevation Range

Up to 3,200 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Purple Martin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
United States of America
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Costa Rica
Species that pass through the area during migration
Nicaragua Saint Lucia
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
French Polynesia Jamaica Saint Pierre and Miquelon The United Kingdom US Virgin Islands

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Purple Martins are highly agile aerial insectivores, capable of swift, acrobatic flight. Their ability to catch insects on the wing and reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour demonstrates exceptional manoeuvrability and agility in flight.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As the largest North American swallows, Purple Martins possess moderate strength for their size. Their ability to migrate long distances and carry nesting materials suggests decent strength, though they are not known for particularly powerful physical feats.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Purple Martins show remarkable adaptability, especially in their nesting habits. In eastern North America, they've adapted to rely almost entirely on human-provided housing, demonstrating significant behavioural plasticity. Their ability to thrive in various habitats, from rural to urban areas, further showcases their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While Purple Martins can be territorial during breeding season, they are generally not considered highly aggressive birds. Their social nature, often seen in large flocks, suggests a relatively low aggression level. However, they may display some aggression when defending nesting sites.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Purple Martins exhibit impressive endurance, particularly during their long-distance migrations between North and South America. Their ability to sustain flight for extended periods while hunting insects and their capacity for transcontinental journeys indicate high endurance levels.

Diet

Purple Martins are insectivores, feeding exclusively on flying insects caught in mid-air. Their diet includes dragonflies, damselflies, flies, midges, mayflies, and flying ants.

Contrary to popular belief, they do not significantly impact mosquito populations, as mosquitoes make up only a small portion of their diet.

Behaviour

Purple Martins are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks during migration and roosting. They are aerial insectivores, catching insects on the wing with remarkable agility.

These birds have a unique relationship with humans and rely heavily on man-made nesting structures in eastern North America.

Vocalisation

Purple Martins are known for their cheerful, chattering vocalizations. Their song is a series of rich, liquid chirps and gurgles, often described as 'choo-choo' or 'peew-peew'.

During courtship and territorial displays, males produce a distinctive 'dawn song', a complex series of chirps and warbles.

Nesting & Breeding

Purple Martins typically form monogamous pairs each breeding season. In eastern North America, they nest almost exclusively in human-provided housing, while western populations still use natural cavities.

Females lay 3-6 white eggs in a nest made of twigs, grass, and mud. Both parents participate in nest building, though females do most of the work.

Incubation lasts about 15-18 days, with both parents sharing duties. Nestlings fledge after about 26-31 days but may return to the nest to roost for several days after fledging.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While Purple Martins are currently listed as Least Concern, they face challenges from habitat loss and competition with invasive species like European Starlings and House Sparrows.

Conservation efforts focus on providing and maintaining suitable nesting sites, particularly in eastern North America where they are almost entirely dependent on human-provided housing.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

9,300,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Purple Martins near open areas with water, such as fields, parks, and wetlands
  • Listen for their distinctive chirping and chattering calls, especially near nesting sites
  • Check purpose-built martin houses and gourds in suburban and rural areas
  • Observe their acrobatic flight patterns as they hunt insects in the air

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Family:

Hirundinidae

Average Lifespan

5 to 7 years

Max Lifespan

13 years [4]

Predators

Main predators include hawks, owls, snakes, and raccoons. In urban areas, domestic cats can also pose a threat, especially to fledglings.

Did You Know?

  1. Purple Martins in eastern North America depend almost entirely on human-provided nesting sites.
  2. They can reach flight speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
  3. Purple Martins engage in 'creching,' where young from different nests gather in large groups.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Progne subis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22712098A94319217.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven

  3. 2

    website, 2022: Partners in Flight

    View source
  4. 4

    website: Longevity Records Of North American Birds. Version 2023.1

    View source

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