Male Purple Martins, the largest and among the most colorful swallows, are always welcome spring arrivals. Martin nesting houses and gourd cavities take on many sizes and shapes. Every nesting site makes a big contribution for Purple Martins, locally and species-wide. The conservation successes on behalf of Purple Martins have been the culmination of each successful nesting attempt.

The first Purple Martins, North America’s largest swallows, have already arrived in many southeastern states, stopping at a nesting colony site provided by dedicated birders who focus on these interesting birds – at home or at a seasonal lake cabin, at a nature center or city park. Often referred to as “scouts,” the first Purple Martin arrivals tend to be the oldest individuals, male or female, that migrate north as early as weather allows. Eventually other Purple Martins arrive at each nesting colony that hosts a random group of unrelated birds attracted to a common nesting site. Nesting colony members don’t travel or function as a flock, but arrive in spring and depart in late summer independently of one another.

No one enters into being a “Purple Martin landlord” lightly, for it takes real dedication, patience, know-how, and an economic investment to fill those shoes. But those attributes are rewarded by that fact that Purple Martins are very special birds that bring an abundance of interest, fulfillment, and personal growth that are commendable. For anyone interested in Purple Martins, there is the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA), which is dedicated to the conservation of Purple Martins through public education, research, and state of the art management techniques with the end goal of increasing martin populations across North America.

The PMCA serves as a centralized data-gathering and information source about Purple Martins, serving Purple Martin enthusiasts and biologists alike. Their mission is to inform Purple Martin enthusiasts about the proper techniques for managing this human-dependent species at a nesting facility. PMCA is also the leader in developing quality martin housing products to be sure enthusiasts have the best equipment at their disposal.

If you are already a Purple Martin landlord, or if you are interested in learning more about these interesting birds, including how you can provide a new nesting colony facility, refer to the Purple Martin Conservation Association – and you can shop for the best products on the market to benefit Purple Martins there too.

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