Do male martins sit on eggs??

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razman
Posts: 568
Joined: Sun May 09, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: wichita ks

i know they can't "incubate" the eggs like the female can, but i have noticed that every time my female leaves the nest of eggs, the male immediately enters the cavity, and stays til she returns. is he sitting on eggs to try to maintain temp, or just guarding the eggs from predators??
2004...notta
2005-2008 lookies
2009...lookies, and a SYM hanging around a bunch
2010...an ASY pair! 5 eggs, 5 babies fledged! yehawwwwwwwwww
2011....still only one nesting pair..extreme heat killed the babies
2012..ASY pair...fledged 4 babies!
2013 notta, few lookie lous
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Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

I had a nest cam and have seen the male on the eggs until the female takes over. I have also seen both at the same time on them. Especially on cold nights.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Dennis D
Posts: 396
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:49 am
Location: Illinois/Swansea

They may sit on them but they don't accomplish anything. Only the female martin has the brood patch for incubation.
Dennis D
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RandallRash
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:52 pm
Location: TX/Rockwall

He sits on the hatchlings also. Mom and dad take turns going out and catching insects and removing poo. :shock:
See my live Nest cam at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/purple-ma ... ndall-rash and ColonyCam at http://chris.homedns.org:8081 (Internet Explorer required and click yes to allow the add-in to run. Also enable sound by clicking the speaker in the upper left corner).
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Bulldog1
Posts: 700
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:33 am
Location: Mississippi/Hamilton

I notice this behavior mainly when sparrows are trying to set up shop in an empty gourd.
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
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daveh
Posts: 761
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:40 am
Location: Kingsville Mo.

He may not have a brood patch but no doubt just being on top of the eggs or babies keeps the existing heat from escaping to fast.

dave
PMCA member
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razman
Posts: 568
Joined: Sun May 09, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: wichita ks

thanks for the replies! good info...Rick
2004...notta
2005-2008 lookies
2009...lookies, and a SYM hanging around a bunch
2010...an ASY pair! 5 eggs, 5 babies fledged! yehawwwwwwwwww
2011....still only one nesting pair..extreme heat killed the babies
2012..ASY pair...fledged 4 babies!
2013 notta, few lookie lous
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tonyg
Posts: 1520
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Olpe, KS
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..

It's all about team work Rick.. :)
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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Emil Pampell-Tx
Posts: 6743
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas

I often wondered about this, and now nest cams have shown that the male actually tries to help keep the eggs warm...good info!
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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