The largest North American swallow — males a deep iridescent purple-blue. Eastern populations now depend almost entirely on human-supplied housing (gourds and apartment-style boxes).

Also called: Black Martin (folk for males)

Native status: Native; eastern populations human-dependent

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 19–21 cm (7.5–8.3 in); wingspan 39–41 cm
Weight45–60 g
LifespanWild typically 5–7 years; oldest documented 13.8
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyHirundinidae

§ Encyclopedia

The purple martin is a passerine bird in the swallow family Hirundinidae. It is the largest swallow in North America. Despite its name, the purple martin is not truly purple. The dark blackish-blue feathers have an iridescent sheen caused by the diffraction of incident light giving them a bright blue to navy blue or deep purple appearance. In some light, they may even appear green in color.

Source: Wikipedia — Purple martin Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Large swallow. Males: entirely glossy dark blue-purple (only North American swallow with all-dark underparts). Females: gray belly, dark upperparts.

Similar species. European Starling (no swallow body shape, yellow bill in summer). Tree Swallow (much smaller, white belly). Smaller swallows have rusty or pale undersides.

Voice. Liquid gurgling "chur" calls; rich complex morning songs.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Flying insects (dragonflies, beetles, flies, moths, true bugs, mosquitoes); rarely consumes ground-dwelling insects.

Behavior. Largest North American swallow. Eastern populations now nest almost exclusively in human-supplied housing (multi-compartment "martin houses" and hollowed gourd clusters) — a tradition that began with Native Americans hanging gourds for martins and continues today. Western populations still mostly nest in natural cavities of trees and saguaro cacti. Migrates 10,000+ km annually between Brazilian winter range and North American breeding range. Among the most-watched migration species via geolocator tracking.

§ Range

Across eastern US and parts of west in summer; winters in Amazon basin

§ Habitat

Open country near water; depends on managed nest housing in the East

§ Threats

Loss of older housing, competition with starlings/house sparrows, pesticide-driven insect declines.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the purple martin is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Maintain a martin house with starling-resistant entrances. Evict invasive house sparrows from boxes. Skip pesticides.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • Purple Martin Conservation Association
  • National Audubon Society
  • IUCN Red List 2018