Purple martins are beautiful birds that are beloved by many people. However, attracting these aerial acrobats to your yard requires providing proper housing. Purple martins are colonial cavity nesters, meaning they prefer to nest in multi-compartment birdhouses or gourds that are placed in open areas near open water. When installing purple martin housing, there are some key factors to consider regarding placement and setup.
Height
One of the most important considerations when putting up purple martin gourds is the height. Purple martins prefer their housing to be placed very high up. The minimum recommended height for purple martin gourds is 10-15 feet. However, most purple martin landlords find that heights of 12-20 feet work better. At these heights, the housing will be safely out of reach from predators like raccoons, cats, and snakes that could raid nests. A higher placement also makes it easier for the birds to enter and exit their compartments.
Gourds can be placed at these heights by mounting them on tall, sturdy poles made of metal or treated wood. Some landlords also place gourds on the arms of scaffolding systems, roof mounts, or winch and pulley systems that allow the housing to be raised or lowered for maintenance. No matter what system you use, make sure the gourds are securely fastened so they do not blow around or detach in high winds.
Open Space
Purple martins prefer open, expansive areas for foraging with minimal obstructions around their housing. Ideal foraging areas include open fields, prairies, wetlands, or large open lawns. Avoid placing purple martin housing directly next to tall trees, buildings, or other structures as these can provide perches for predatory birds to ambush the martins. The housing should have a 5-10 foot clearance above the roofline and have at least a 40-60 foot clearance around it.
Having this open space allows the martins to easily approach their housing and provides good visibility to spot both aerial and ground-based predators. Martins feel more secure with wide open vistas and tend to avoid densely wooded suburban areas.
Near Water
Purple martins often feed over open water like lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, and pools. Placing their housing within a quarter mile of a significant water source provides excellent foraging opportunities. The water features attract flying insects like dragonflies and damselflies which make up a large part of the purple martin diet. Housing located too far from water sources is often shunned. Make sure the open water is located on the south side of the housing where it can be warmed by the sun to generate more insect activity.
Predator Protection
Purple martin housing should include protections against predators. Starlings and house sparrows are cavity nesters that often compete for compartments. Installing starling-resistant entrance holes and regularly monitoring compartments is key. The hole size should be 2 1/16 inches in diameter. Snake guards can be added to poles to prevent climbing predators.
Guards can also be installed around the poles beneath the housing to prevent raccoons from climbing up. Electric baffles may also be used for deterring climbers. Squirrel guards on the wires and pulleys prevent chewing damage and nest material theft.
Housing Style
Purple martins prefer to nest in colonies, so multi-compartment housing works better than individual units. Some of the most popular styles include:
- Gourds – Natural gourds or man-made gourd replicas hung in rows on a rack system. 6-12 gourds are ideal.
- Wooden houses – Square wooden boxes with multiple compartments that typically house 6-12 pairs.
- Aluminum houses – Lightweight, durable aluminum houses that are easy to clean. They are available in many compartment sizes.
Make sure the style you select has proper ventilation, drainage, and is made of weatherproof, sturdy material. Within each compartment there should be a nesting shelf about 4-6 inches below the entrance hole where the martins can build their nests.
Accessibility
Purple martin housing should be accessible for regular monitoring and maintenance. Landlords need to be able to open compartments to check for pests, remove old nests, and lock out competitors after martins have laid eggs. The easiest way to allow this kind of access is by using a pulley system that lowers the unit.
Temporary pole extensions or ladders can also provide access if needed. Avoid permanently mounting the housing in a spot that cannot be reached. Monitoring and maintenance ensure your housing remains clean and safe for the martins.
Site Preparation
Prior to the spring arrival of purple martins, you can make your site more attractive by taking these preparatory steps:
- Clear out old nests from the previous season.
- Repair/replace any old compartments.
- Install fresh bedding material like pine needles.
- Apply white paint or bleached interior to compartments.
- Optionally add painted or wooden decoys.
Starting with clean, bright white housing helps attract the first scouts. Letting your martin housing deteriorate with weathering and buildup of old nests makes it much less appealing. Take the time to prep your site and your odds of colonization go up.
Near Existing Colony
If possible, it is advantageous to place new housing near an existing purple martin colony. Martins like to nest near other active martins. The presence of a nearby successful colony signals that your site is suitable habitat. The resident martins will be familiar with local food sources, predators, and roosting spots.
Scout birds checking out your fresh housing may be more likely to take the plunge and setup shop if they see neighbors nearby. Over time, as your colony expands, you can gradually increase the number of compartments at the site.
South-Southeast Exposure
In most parts of North America, installing purple martin housing on a south-southeast facing aspect is recommended. South-facing entrances receive more sunlight which helps keep the interior compartments warm and dry. The morning sun shining directly in the entrances get the birds up and active hunting insects early.
The warmer southern exposure protects against cold weather and chilling rain showers from the north. Positioning the housing to face the morning sun rising in the southeast also encourages earlier spring colonization.
Conclusion
Attracting breeding purple martins requires getting the placement of gourds and housing just right. By considering factors like height, proximity to open water and foraging space, access for maintenance, predator protection, south-facing exposure, and nearby martin activity, you can create an attractive site for martins to raise their young. With proper placement and care, you are likely to have happy martin renters return year after year.