How to Lure Purple Martins

The purple martin is a "people friendly" bird, depending almost entirely on humans for its housing. Known for its song and flight acrobatics, the purple martin was once a favorite of Native Americans who carved gourds to supply nesting boxes. Once established, adult martins return annually to where they nested safely the previous year. Specific housing requirements must be met to provide the greatest success for both the bird and the landlord.

Things You'll Need

  • Purple martin birdhouse
  • Decoy martins
  • Prerecorded Dawnsong CD
  • Dry pine needles
  • Dry leaves
  • Short twigs
  • Premixed mud
  • Water source
  • Dried, crushed eggshells
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Instructions

  1. Attracting Purple Martins

    • 1

      Select location for martin housing in the center of an open, treeless area approximately 30 to 120 feet from human habitation. Trees should be no closer than 40 feet. The further the trees are distanced from the house opening, the better to allow for unobstructed flight. A suitable birdhouse height is 10 to 17 feet above the ground.

    • 2

      Choose martin housing approved by the Purple Martin Conservation Association. Wood or aluminum houses are equally suited. Large gourds, dried and hollowed, work also. All housing must be painted white with holes 2 1/8 inches in diameter. Individual cavity floor dimensions should be at least 6 inches square. A pole with ease in lowering for cleaning is ideal. Housing should be well-ventilated with ample drainage and barriers to predators. Since purple martins are sociable birds, multiunit housing is preferred.

    • 3

      Keep your housing entrances plugged up until six weeks after the first martins pass through your area. Since adult martins generally return to the housing used the year before, it is important to attract the 1-year-old birds which arrive far after the adult males. Keeping the house closed until they arrive prevents sparrows and starlings from nesting in the meantime.

    • 4

      Provide a water source close by. Martins feed and drink while in flight. Insects are their only source of food. To keep the martins in your yard, construct a small pond or simply inflate a large shallow swimming pool.

    • 5

      Attach purple martin decoys to the roof of your birdhouse to create the illusion of an established colony. The martins prefer company.

    • 6

      Play a prerecorded CD of a martin's chatter near your housing during the early morning hours to attract the attention of young birds who are seeking companionship and a safe habitat.

    • 7

      Line the compartments with dried grass, pine needles and small sticks to make the housing appear more inviting. Create a heap of mud nearby in a safe area for nest building.

    • 8

      Provide crushed eggshell, which have been thoroughly dried, on a raised platform

      feeder. According to the Purple Martin Conservation Association, eggshells supply calcium and grit, and help prevent calcium deficiencies in nestlings.