Housing Requirements For Purple Martins is not Simple
Western purple martins use natural cavities in trees and cactus for housing. Eastern ones depend almost entirely on man-made houses. Both types live in colonies, condo style, so a group of hollow gourds hung as a mobile or a multiple family dwelling of apartments under one roof attracts them. Mature male "scouts" arrive ahead to claim the previous year's housing somewhere between late February and April, depending on the region. Colonies return to the same home every year.
Place their house in the sun and in the center of an open area 40 feet from trees; within 100 feet of your house (they like to be around people). Martins want a pond or lake within 3/4 of a mile. Locate the apartment 15 to 20 feet off the ground, paint the building white so it is easily seen from the air. It is best if the homeowner has the ability to temporarily block entrance holes to discourage sparrows and starlings and the apartment is easily raised and lowered for cleaning and ejecting other birds. The compartments should measure 7 by 12 inches, with the entrance holes 2 to 2 1/4 inches in diameter and 1 inch above the floor.
Reasons Housing Fails
Martins residents not automatic
. May be slow to arrive, even though conditions are ideal. They are attached to their colonies elsewhere. It may take years and years for tenants. In addition, conditions may not be ideal:
Yard too small
. House needs to be at least 30 feet from human housing and 100 feet is much better.
Lack of airspace
. Most common mistake is trees compete with flight space around house. No trees taller than the their home within 40-60 feet so they can fly into the apartment with level flight. Raise the house on pole, cut down trees or give up.
House location too remote from people
. Beyond 100 feet from humans, the birds lose their sense of protection against their predators (snakes, raccoons, opossums, hawks, crows, owls and others).
Other species enter the apartment first
. Other species are permitted to be established in new housing before martins can claim it will develop site tenacity there. Plug holes in martin house and make single unit nesting boxes available to other birds. Once the martins settle, open the martin house doors.
Houses open too early
. Competing birds move in. Wait until about 4 weeks after the early martins, the "scouts" are due in the area to open new houses. Do not wait too long, birds need to see dark openings to be tempted to move in. Once used, returning martins will hang around until you see them and then open up the house.
Proximity of house to vines, shrubs, wires
. These allow predators, so martins will avoid houses where these situations occur.
STARLING RESISTENT IS IMPORTANT
- Small holes allow for safe entry of the Purple Martin
- Aluminum and stainless steel construction
- Features ventilation, porch dividers, hinged clean out doors, guard rails, top perch and more
- Assembly is required
- Dimensions: 19" L x 14-1/4" W x 20" H
- The SREH (starling resistant entrance holes) is a tried and proven method for helping to eliminate the pesky European Starling. Tests have shown the entry holes are 99.8% effective in achieving this. This hole is cut to an exact height restricting starling entry but allowing safe entry for the Purple Martin which gives it a greater sense of security: Features: All cool aluminum and stainless steel construction. Reflective roof. Ceiling panel for proper ventilation. Porch dividers. Hinged clean out doors. Guard rails. Top perch. All aluminum base plate. Each room 6" x 6". Made to fit TP-12 & HD-12 pole. Assembly required. Door plugs sold separate. Dimensions: 19"L x 14-1/4"W x 20"H.
NOW THE MORE TRADITIONAL LOOK BUT THE HOLES ARE BIG
- Snap fit assembley
- Excellent ventilation
- The Purple Martin house is made of UV resistant plastic.
EVERYONE WILL THINK YOU GREW THE GUORDS
- 13.5 Foot Aluminum Pole
- Double spiral design
- Accomodates 8 gourds
- Gourds sold separately
- Heath Outdoor Products 30108 13.5-Foot Aluminum Purple Martin Gourd Pole, 8-Piece Double Spiral Design
HERE IS A MODEL TO KEEP THE KIDS SAFE
- Kit includes an 8 compartment house, eight Dri-nest subfloors, eight winter door stops, one rope lanyard lock system, one 17.5 foot pole, and one 2 foot long ground socket
- Made of durable aluminum, this lightweight house is one of the safest martin houses on the market and helps to dissipate heat buildups in the 6 inch long x 6 inch wide x 6 inch high compartments
- Guard rails along porches protect baby martins from falling out of the nest and give adults more perching room; more seating provided by the included roof perch
- Simple to raise and lower on the included rope lanyard; raise or lower the house a few inches or all the way to the ground, the locking system can move as little as an inch at a time
- System is safe for novice and expert martin landlords of all ages
Use the Purple Martin Safety System to bring a martin colony into your yard. This package features one of the safest martin house systems on the market. Made of durable aluminum, the house is lightweight and helps to dissipate any heat buildups in the 6 inch long x 6 inch wide x 6 inch high compartments. Guard rails along the narrow porches protect baby martins from falling out of the nest and give adult martins more perching room. Even more seating room is provided by the included roof perch. The lightweight house is simple to raise and lower on the included rope lanyard. Use the rope to raise or lower the house a few inches or all the way to the ground, as the locking system can move the house as little as an inch at a time. This system is safe for novice and expert martin landlords of all ages and lets you easily move the house for nest checks and cleanouts. Each of the compartments has swing out doors for easy access and Dri-nest subfloors to keep nests 0.25 inches above the floor for additional drainage. This extra floor also allows you to easily treat parasites under the nests if necessary. Eight winter door stops help you close the home during martin migration. The included two foot long ground socket keeps your house and pole stable and supported. Entice martins to nest in your yard by providing them a majestic home with the Purple Martin Safety System with 2 Stories. The kit includes an 8 compartment house, eight Dri-nest subfloors, eight winter door stops, one rope lanyard lock system, one 17.5 foot pole, and one 2 foot long ground socket.
