Habitat of Purple Martin
Purple Martin houses should be installed in early January in the southern states and mid April in the northern states. The houses can also be installed early, and door stops used to keep other birds out of the house. Place your Purple Martin house in an open area (50 feet on three sides) and , if possible, near water. Purple Martin houses should be painted a light color, preferably white. This reflects the sun and keeps the house cooler.

You'll enjoy these friendly birds - The springtime arrival of purple martins at the Martin House in your yard or garden can add much to your enjoyment of the summer season. These beautiful birds are the largest of the swallow family. Their cheerful songs, gurgling chatter and flying antics in pursuit of insects will provide many hours of delightful entertainment. And once your Martin House has been selected as their home, it is more than likely that the same colony will return year after year.

Purple Martins eat their weight in flying insects every day - As the diet of the martin is insects, a colony of the birds in your Martin House will provide a natural means of mosquito control throughout their summer stay. It has been estimated that an adult martin will consume its weight in flying insects every day. This is nature's method of pest control.

Martin scouts arrive early - The Purple Martin, one of the earliest migrants, arrives in the southern states from winter quarters in Central and South America early in February. Their move northward is leisurely, arriving in the northern states in early April. Male scouts precede the advancing flocks looking over housing for the colonies. After about one week in the north, the scouts return to guide the birds to their summer homes. Your Martin House should be installed before the scouts arrive in early April. Purple Martins are found in the United States from Dallas to Minneapolis in a line all the way to the east coast.

Ways to help Purple Martins at nesting time - You may wish to provide nesting material for your martins. These are some of the items used by martins: twigs, leaves, pine straw, grass, straw and bark. Also, a mud puddle will provide your martins with a source of mud to use as mortar. Supply your martins with dried, pulverized egg shells. Egg shells have a high calcium content and excellent grit properties that the birds do not get from their insect diet. These should be left on an elevated surface in the vicinity of the martin house. Be sure the platform has adequate drainage.