More Purple Martin Information
For helpful hints to attract martins in Wisconsin and nation-wide (including average arrival dates), click on this link:
http://www.purplemartin.org/main/helpful.html |
For downloadable information, go to the download center of the PMCA at:
http://www.purplemartin.org |

Choosing the right location for your Purple Martin house is one of the most important steps you can take when starting out. If you're not sure your location is suitable for attracting Purple Martins, contact the WPMA, as we provide free site evaluations.

Fledgling martins become independent relatively quickly compared to other hole nesting birds. These young martins are fairly good flyers on their first day out of the nest and their flying skills improve daily with guidance from their parents. After about a week or more out of the nest, many young martins are capturing their own food and soon become independent.

Purple Martins (Progne subis) are highly social birds. After leaving the nesting colony and the care of the Purple Martin landlord, they form large, communal roosts where they sleep at night prior to and during migration. They also form communal roosts on their South American wintering grounds, often with other martin species.

Purple Martins are the only bird species in eastern North America that today, is totally dependent on humans for supplying it with nesting sites. Secondly, since it has been managed by man longer than any other species in North America, it has developed a very close relationship with man - so much so that it rarely will nest in martin housing placed any farther from human housing than about 100 feet.