How to Build Martin Birdhouses

Purple martins, the largest birds in the swallow family, are a friendly, attractive bird species native to North America. Birdwatchers enjoy martins because of their pleasant song, amusing social activity and taste for bothersome insect pests. Since martins live in colonies and are larger than bluebirds and other swallows, many commercial birdhouses can't accommodate them. You can build your own birdhouses with inexpensive hardware supplies.

Things You'll Need

  • 6 or more dry gourds
  • Sandpaper
  • Keyhole saw
  • Ruler
  • Paint and varnish
  • Paint brush
  • Drill
  • Hanging wire
  • 2 12 to 20 foot galvanized metal poles
  • 2 predator baffles
  • Fence post driver
  • Bird bath
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Instructions

    • 1

      Evaluate your yard and home to determine their suitability for martins. Martins live and breed in broad, open areas near water sources, such as swamps and meadows. They are less likely to inhabit city and mountain areas. Most martins live in coastal areas throughout the U.S. and throughout the Midwest and east coast. Your martin nest shouldn't have any buildings or trees located within a 40-foot radius.

    • 2

      Wash six or more dried gourds and sand off any mold with sandpaper. Use gourds with a 6 by 6 inch base or larger and a height of 6 inches or longer to provide martins with sufficient space.

    • 3

      Cut a 2 ¼ inch diameter hole in each gourd, 3 inches up from the base. Using a spoon, scrape out any seeds and pith inside the gourds.

    • 4

      Paint your gourds white or an other light color. Martins are attracted to white houses because the light color reflects the sun and keeps the inside of the house cool. Apply varnish over dry paint for a shiny finish and to protect the paint.

    • 5

      Drill four ¼ inch holes in the bottom of each gourd to provide drainage. Examine the holes to make sure they go all the way through the base.

    • 6

      Drill two holes on opposite sides of each gourd, 2 inches down from the top.

    • 7

      Thread a hanging wire through the holes in the top of each gourd so the holes face out. Each gourd will house one martin family.

    • 8

      Install a predator baffle around each of your poles to prevent cats and other predators from accessing your birds. One predator scare can disturb an entire colony. Predator baffles are cone-shaped or cylindrical obstacles that can slide onto a pole to prevent snakes, cats and other non-flying predators from accessing birdhouses. You can purchase baffles at hardware or garden supply stores, or make your own with mesh hardware cloth and stovepipe. See the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website for several predator baffle plans.

    • 9

      Drive two galvanized metal poles 2 feet deep into the ground, 10 or more feet apart. Place the poles in an open area away from trees and other obstructions.

    • 10

      Hang the string of gourds between the two poles, 10 to 18 feet above the ground.

    • 11

      Install a birdbath in your yard in the absence of a close natural water source. Refresh the water every day or two.

    • 12

      Remove old nests when martins abandon their homes and fly south for the winter. Hose out the gourds with soap and water to prepare them for next year, and store them indoors to protect them from the elements.