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How To Attract Purple Martins To Your Garden Gardener’s Path Purple Martin, Backyard Birds

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What are Purple Martins?

Purple Martins are North American birds that belong to the swallow family. They are known for their beautiful coloration and their ability to consume large quantities of insects. Purple Martins are migratory birds that spend their winters in South America and their summers in North America. They are social birds that often nest in large colonies.

Historically, Purple Martins nested in natural cavities such as old woodpecker holes, but as human development has increased, their habitat has been destroyed. Now, Purple Martins rely on man-made structures such as birdhouses and gourds for nesting sites.

Why do You Want Purple Martins in Your Garden?

There are several reasons why you may want to attract Purple Martins to your garden:

  • Purple Martins are excellent insect controllers. They have a voracious appetite for mosquitoes, flies, and other flying insects, making them a valuable addition to any garden.
  • Purple Martins are beautiful birds that are enjoyable to watch. Their aerial acrobatics and melodic songs are a delight for bird lovers.
  • By providing nesting sites for Purple Martins, you are helping to conserve a declining species. Purple Martins face many threats, including habitat loss, competition for nesting sites, and predation.

How to Build and Install a Purple Martin House?

The key to attracting Purple Martins to your garden is to provide them with a suitable nesting site. The best way to do this is to build or purchase a Purple Martin house.

A Purple Martin house should be located in an open area away from trees and other tall structures. The house should be mounted on a pole that is at least 15 feet tall, with no obstructions within 40 feet. This will provide the birds with a clear flight path to the house.

The house should have multiple compartments, with each compartment measuring at least 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches. The entrance holes should be 2 1/8 inches in diameter, which is the size preferred by Purple Martins. The house should also have a predator guard to prevent snakes and other predators from climbing the pole and accessing the nesting compartments.

What to Feed Purple Martins?

Purple Martins feed on insects, so there is no need to provide them with supplemental food. However, it is important to ensure that there are plenty of insects in the area to support the birds. This can be achieved by minimizing pesticide use and planting insect-attracting plants such as marigolds and sunflowers.

How to Protect Purple Martins from Predators?

Predation is a major threat to Purple Martins, so it is important to take steps to protect them from predators such as snakes and raccoons. The most effective way to do this is to install a predator guard on the pole supporting the Purple Martin house.

A predator guard is a device that prevents predators from climbing the pole and accessing the nesting compartments. There are many different types of predator guards available, including metal cones, PVC pipes, and electric fences. It is important to choose a predator guard that is appropriate for your specific situation.

Conclusion

Attracting Purple Martins to your garden can be a rewarding experience. By providing them with a suitable nesting site, minimizing pesticide use, and taking steps to protect them from predators, you can help to conserve this declining species while enjoying the benefits of their insect-controlling abilities and beauty.


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