Purple Martin Forum

I always liked the burrowing owls and now that I am watching the bird activity closer, it looks like the owl might have caught a black bird. Since the attack happened under the bird house, I thought it was a Purple Martin, but they are all accounted for. Maybe the black bird was after the Martins an...

I counted 4 Purple Martins this morning, I researched the burrowing owls and they normally do not bother the martins. The owls come out at night to hunt It was getting dark outside so I didn’t clearly see what kind of bird it caught. So glad they are all back and safe.

I just saw an owl attack one of the male Purple Martins. I live in Cape Coral Florida where there are a lot of Burrowing Owls. I have never seen this before and I am very upset about it. The owl had the Martin by the wing on my back lawn. I ran out with a broom and scared the owl off. I think the ow...

Last evening around 5pm I heard that familiar sound and saw one checking out the birdhouse. It’s always so exciting to see them come back. I love waking up in the morning hearing their song. Such an amazing bird and journey they take. I enjoy telling everyone about them. So glad they are back and th...

I was able to get someone with a tall ladder to get the birdhouse down. It’s all cleaned and ready to go. I haven’t seen any purple martins yet. Hopefully, this will get things get started. When I cleaned the bird house I saw four nests. Unfortunately, there was a skeleton of one small bird that did...

I was able to get someone with a tall ladder to get the birdhouse down. It’s all cleaned and ready to go. I haven’t seen any purple martins yet. Hopefully, this will get things get started. When I cleaned the bird house I saw four nests. Unfortunately, there was a skeleton of one small bird that did...

Thank you. I will look into installing a square pole with 6 gourds. There is a person here in Cape Coral, Florida, that organizes the Purple Martin houses at Sirenia Vista Park. Her name is Cheryl Anderson. I plan on contacting her to see how to go about having a new pole installed. I didn’t put up ...

Thanks for the replies, they were very helpful. I will leave it up this year and see what happens. Last year I had three nesting pairs so I think there are three empty sections that are clean. When I replaced the old one that was destroyed by hurricane Ian, I received three sections of poles with th...

Thanks for the replies, they were very helpful. I will leave it up this year and see what happens. Last year I had three nesting pairs so I think there are three empty sections that are clean. When I replaced the old one that was destroyed by hurricane Ian, I received three sections of poles with th...

My Trio birdhouse is stuck so I can’t lower to clean it this year. It seems the pulley system is broke and won’t unlatch. I had several handymen on ladders trying to get it down, with no luck. I would like to take the whole system down and replace it with gourds or a house with a better pulley syste...

I have 3 nesting pairs in Cape Coral Florida.

I now have 3 nesting pairs. Two pairs (that arrived in February) built their nests 4 -5 weeks ago and have not gone too far from the house. The final pair, that arrived last week, are now building their nest. Looks like the Purple Martins are arriving at different times. So glad to see them. I did s...

I just saw some Purple Martins soaring overhead today. Yippee! My bird house is all cleaned and ready. Hoping for a great season ahead. It’s so good to hear them again.

Someone helped me get my bird house down. I was happy to see there were several nests and even an egg. So I know they are happy there. I cleaned it out and it is all set for this season. Hoping for a good one. Tom, thanks for the idea of adding a new system nearby. I will definitely look into that i...

I just returned back from Cape Coral, Florida from Vermont. My birdhouse survived the hurricanes, but it needs some TLC. The pole is bent and I am unable to get the birdhouse down to clean it. The pulley system doesn’t work because the house twisted around during the hurricane. Does anyone in this f...

It’s interesting to see the difference between the two couples. The first couple, an adult male and female , that arrived in February, stay by the house all day. I’m guessing they are caring for babies by now but I’m not sure. The new couple, a sub male and female that arrived a few weeks ago, are g...

Yes, you are right, it is a sub male. I now have two couples nesting in my birdhouse. The new couple is building their nest now. I was hoping to see some babies before I leave Florida the first week of May. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. Thanks for all of your input. I really appreciate i...

I think this is a fledgling, but I’m not sure . Can someone please look at this photo and let me know. This bird has not gone too far from the house. When a different kind of bird comes around, he ties to get back inside. I know it’s a male by its song. An adult male stays right next to it and doesn...

It’s a female. Here’s a photo of the happy couple! They love their water front suites. I just noticed the blossoms on my mango tree.

It doesn’t get any better than this.

Is this an adult female, subadult male or subadult female?

(Hope my photos post)