What I Learned About The Unique Heartbreak Of The Purple Martin’s Housing Crisis In 2024
An enchanting bird species and voracious bug eater, purple martins adapted to become entirely dependent upon humans for housing, and now need our help to stave off extinction.
Purple martins check out their new homes put up by Alachua Audubon Society and Four Rivers Audubon. Photo courtesy Jacqui Sulek/Audubon Florida
I bet you didn’t know that purple martins are in trouble and that we can help save them from extinction. Like most people, I had no idea the purple martin lifecycle is so closely tied to successful interactions with humans. Despite being around for millions of years, things drastically changed over time as they evolved from wild nesters to those that are dependent on humans for their very survival.
A Little Bird History
Thousands of years ago indigenous people observed how purple martins consumed many insects that damaged their crops. As secondary cavity nesters, purple martins historically reused abandoned cavities made by woodpeckers, squirrels or owls, returning to the same nesting site every year. So, people began to hollow out gourds and hang them, hoping to attract the birds. No one knows when exactly this practice started or how long it took for the birds to switch from wild nesters to those that nest exclusively in manmade habitats, but over time they became completely dependent on these manmade nests. While this practice benefitted farmers who now had a natural pest remover, it eliminated the birds’ ability to find a habitat on their own.
Purple martins are the largest of the swallows in North America. Weighing less than 2 ounces and measuring just under 8 inches, they are a diminutive bird with many predators. These little birds are amazing acrobats as they fly and swoop in the air while catching flying insects. Mortality rate for chicks their first year runs about 25%, which is high for a bird whose lifespan is between 5-7 years. At just 11 months they are old enough to breed. Breeding throughout all of the eastern U.S., they travel thousands of miles to winter in the warmer temperatures of Brazil, where food is more available, since insects don’t fly in cold weather.
Purple martins consume about 2000 flying insects a day, and are one of nature’s best natural pest removers. Their diet consists of dragonflies, butterflies, moths, wasps, termites and bees, along with other flying insects. They are an important part of a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
A male works non-stop feeding his chicks after losing his mate. Photo courtesy Staci-lee Sherwood.
So Many Threats
Little birds have to fear owls, hawks, eagles and snakes if they don’t want to be their next meal, but many small birds also pose a huge danger to purple martins. House sparrows may be cute but they are not native to the U.S., having been brought here by Europeans. They not only compete for food but will also kill purple martins and destroy their eggs. Starlings, also brought here from Europe, will do the same. As if that wasn’t enough trouble, the fledglings have to steer clear of the sub-adult or bachelor males who often steal the food, harass the chicks, and even try to mate with them. It’s not easy trying to grow up with so much working against you!
Predators lurk in every corner but they are not the only threat. Pollution of the water, air and land pose catastrophic threats to all living beings on Earth. As the air becomes more saturated with pesticides, the food source of purple martins will vanish. Their habitat is fast disappearing with every new building constructed. Very little truly clean water remains anywhere on the planet today. It’s no wonder their population is on the decline.
Purple Martin eggs in the nest. Photo courtesy Staci-lee Sherwood
How The Purple Martin Conservation Program Works
I had the pleasure of meeting with Shelly Rozenberg, who’s been working tirelessly for many years at saving these birds as the Purple Martin Conservation Coordinator for Audubon Everglades in Florida. The program involves setting up nesting houses, monitoring them when birds arrive for breeding season, and keeping a record of how many eggs are laid, how many chicks hatch, fledge or die. All this data helps to show whether a population is declining, increasing or stable. The data is collected without disturbing the birds by opening a small window on the side to look inside.
This citizen science program begins with volunteers who starts looking for places that have a water source with enough open space to put up some bird houses. Home or business owners are educated about the need to help the birds and the value they bring. Once the houses are placed, volunteers watch for the arrival of the birds from South America. Weekly checks are done to record how many birds have arrived, how many are nesting, condition of nests, egg and chick count. Any disease or deaths are recorded as well. This provides valuable information to help understand how the population is doing, what the causes for decline are, and to help formulate programs to educate the public and increase or stabilize the population. It will take a village to save this species.
Their Fate Lies With Us
Because of their learned interdependence on humans, purple martins need to nest in manmade dwellings, near a water source away from nearby trees. Florida has lost nearly 50% of their purple martin population in the last 20 years. The birds have learned there are some benefits to living so close to humans — finding a mate is easier and there’s less concern about raccoon or fox predation — but it comes with a price. As development of the last bit of open space continues to encroach, loss of their habitat and pollution increases. Tragically most homeowners rely on toxic chemicals to control insects instead of letting nature balance itself. Loss of food due to pesticides means extinction.
Despite their population being on the decline there is still time to save them. If you have the desire to help, you can install a habitat with a specially designed entrance for purple martins that helps keep out non-native predators. You don’t need to put out food; just let them raise their young in peace, and you will be rewarded by their beauty, lyrical vocalizations, and knowing you are doing something to save them.
5 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Save Purple Martins
1. Put up a purple martin habitat away from trees, and near a water source like a stream, lake, river, pond, or canal. A snake guard can be added to the base of the pole to prevent predation. The movement of the cylinder can scare away snakes looking for eggs or chicks.
2. Never use any pesticides/rodentcides/insecticides.
3. Spread the word about the need to help them.
4. Contact your local Audubon chapter or click here to find one. They can direct you to purple martin habitat sources or any monitoring groups in your area.
5. Establish a monitoring group in your area.
Staci-lee Sherwood is a lifelong preservationist, environmentalist and animal advocate. She is a published writer, blogger and poet, who writes poetry for fun and investigative articles to educate and motivate people into action. Staci-lee is an avid photographer and hiker who calls the East Coast home with her rescue kitties.
