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Purple Martins nest in colonies of twenty or more pairs. There are Purple Martin bird houses available to accommodate this type of nesting habit. They look like small hotels and can accommodate a large number of nesting pairs. In eastern North America Purple Martins nest in these artificial nesting boxes exclusively.
Purple Martins were favored by the Naive Americans who attracted them by hanging up a collection of hollowed gourds. They liked them as they drove off vultures from hides and meat left out to dry and crows from their cornfields.
A myth started many years ago by a manufacturer of Purple Martin houses was that Purple Martins could eat 2000 mosquitoes a day. Purple Martins do not like mosquitoes and rarely eat them!
Purple Martins houses should be placed in an open area well away from any buildings and at least ten feet off the ground. It is best to open up your Purple Martin house four weeks after they arrive in your area and keep it open through the summer until the end of June. If you had Purple Martins in your house the previous year open it up as soon as you see Purple Martins perching around your yard.
White is a good colour for your Purple Martin house as it attracts them and will also keep the inside cool during the hot weather. Sparrows and starlings can be a nuisance by nesting in the houses. If this happens remove their nesting material. Continue to remove it until they become discouraged and nest elsewhere.
Image by thumeco
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