How far should trees be from purple martin house?
These birds need large, open areas to feed, and any purple martin birdhouse or cluster of houses should be placed in the center of an open area at least 30 feet away from any other trees or structures.
What is the lifespan of a purple martin?
about 5 to 7 years
Purple martins have a normal lifespan of about 5 to 7 years in the wild however; it’s not out of the norm for them to reach 9 or 10 years of age. Banding studies have shown them to reach many more years than that, but that is the exception.
Are Purple Martins declining?
When it comes to living in the wild, Purple Martins are out of practice. They’ve grown so used to birdhouses, they no longer know how to search for nests out in nature. It’s a serious conundrum—their populations have declined by 6 percent annually since 2002.
Where is the purple martin migration now?
Purple Martins migrate to South America for the winter, but before leaving, they may gather to roost in groups of thousands in late summer. Has declined seriously in parts of the west, and currently declining in the east. Reasons are not well known, but competition with starlings for nest sites may be involved.
How do I keep Hawks out of my purple martin house?
A major strategy to minimize successful Accipiter hawks on a colony of purple martins is to provide a completely open environment. Any nearby trees, particularly ones that are less than 60 feet from the martin housing create camouflage for an Accipiter to launch surprise attacks.
How high should a purple martin house be mounted?
12-20 ft.
Martin houses should be placed in an open location, at least 40 ft. from trees or buildings. Martins prefer to have clear access to houses from all sides, and like to have perching sites like utility wires nearby, but not attached to the nest box. The height of the housing can be anywhere from 12-20 ft.
Will owls eat Purple Martins?
Predators are everywhere. Whether a martin colony is located on a public park, at a school, or in your own backyard, Purple Martins are vulnerable to aerial predators such as hawks and owls, and ground predators such as raccoons, snakes, and squirrels.
Which direction should a purple martin house face?
The good news is that purple martins aren’t picky when it comes to direction; north, south, east, and west are all fine, as long as it’s consistent. 6.
What is the purple martin Conservation Association?
The Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of Purple Martins ( Progne subis) through scientific research, state of the art management techniques, and public education, with the end goal of increasing martin populations throughout North America.
Why is the Purple Martin so popular?
They are one of America’s most well-loved songbirds for many reasons; their chattering song, aerial acrobatics, insect-eating habits and their tolerance of humans. Whether you are a seasoned Purple Martin landlord or just starting out there’s always something new and exciting to learn about martins.
Do purple martins like to nest in groups?
Purple Martins like to nest in groups, these CDs and decoys will help bring in nearby martins to inspect your colony site—hopefully they will like what they see! Th…