Purple martins are a member of the swallow family and nest in colonies. A colony is simply a group of birds which nest together at the same time and in the same place. Most Purple martin colonies are located in man-made structures with multiple rooms. Martins fly thousands of miles each year returning from their winter roosts in Brazil to nesting sites through out North America. The first birds to return, commonly called scouts, are the more mature males arriving in Florida in early January, and as far north as Canada by late April. Many people wrongly believe that scouts find a martin house to colonize and return south to lead the rest of the flock back to the house they found earlier. Scouts simply return to the same site they used the previous breeding season and sing early each morning calling in other martins.

Martins have a veracious appetite for flying insects and by erecting a Purple Martin house you can help control naturally the insects in your garden. Purple martin homes come in all shapes and sizes, constructed of metal, plastic, or wood. Some are mounted on fixed poles which have ropes or pulleys for raising and lowering, while other houses are mounted on poles which telescope or swivel. We recommend selecting a home which is durable, long lasting, low maintenance, and can be easily lowered for cleaning.

For and estimated time of arrival in your area check the maps below.