Purple Martins

Purple Martins are members of the swallow family and are the largest species of North American Swallow. Making their homes in abandoned woodpecker homes, usually in the hollow of a tree, Purple Martins migrate to South America each winter. Each spring they return again to nest and raise a family.

While Purple Martins west of the Rocky Mountains continue to dwell in abandoned woodpecker homes, those in the East depend on humans to supply them with places to nest. In ancient times, the Native Americans would make houses for the birds from hollowed-out gourds. Over time, small wooden houses were made for the birds to live in. Now, Purple Martin colonies rely on people to make homes for them. 

These “colonies” can consist of just a few pairs of martins or more than 100 pairs. Each spring, the colonies of martins return to the same nesting ground. Laying 4 to 6 eggs, martins incubate the eggs for two weeks before they hatch. While still in the nest, the baby martins’ diet consists largely of insects, but martin parents also feed their young small pieces of crushed shells, or pieces of glass or metal. This helps the babies build strong bones and also helps in digestion. After a month, they are ready to leave the nest, catching a variety of insects near water sources and over meadows and fields. 

Purple Martins seem very tame and friendly with people and are wonderful fliers as well. Sometimes two martins will play a game of catch with a leaf, taking turns catching the leaf and dropping it again. 

On Earth Day of 1995, SCE&G entered into an agreement with the South Carolina Audubon Society and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to establish a permanent sanctuary for Purple Martins on Lake Murray’s Lunch Island – the first sanctuary in North America specifically designed for Purple Martins. 

This sanctuary provides the ideal layover for Purple Martins as they make the long journey south to their winter home in South America. The island is isolated in the heart of Lake Murray, with no predators, plenty of cover and ample feeding areas.

Each June, the exceedingly social birds arrive in droves of 20,000 to 40,000, and sometimes many more! Scientists have estimated that as many as 750,000 birds roost on the island during the summer months.

More can be learned about Purple Martins by contacting the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA):

Purple Martin Conservation Association
EUP
Edinboro, PA
16444