Dead ASY Male in compartment

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Bob
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:46 am
Location: Illinois/Fairbury

Yesterday evening, when checking my housing, I found a dead ASY male in one of the compartments. The compartment had the start of a nest. I know I have been having problems with sparrows this spring, but last night, I did see 2 or 3 other martins fighting to get in this compartment. Will ASY males fight over compartments and fatally injure another ASY male? I know in past years, I have had SY males fight with ASY males, but never found a dead ASY male. The compartment did not have any sparrow nesting material in it and I did not see any sparrow enter that compartment last night. Just trying to figure it out.
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ToyinPA
Posts: 2227
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
Location: PA/Avis
Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.

Yes they will. Females will fight each other too. They are all fighting to have the best mate.

I have 2 ASY Males fighting since yesterday. One wants the others mate. This happens a lot if you are short of females, which most colonies are. Not much you can do but attempt to break them up...over & over & over....nature is what it is.


Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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Bob
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:46 am
Location: Illinois/Fairbury

Thank you Toy! Tonight they seemed less aggressive than last night. Our weather warmed up a bit today and finally some sunshine :grin: Tomorrow another rainy and cooler day, but 70's by Friday.
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John & Linda - KY
Posts: 599
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:19 pm
Location: Kentucky/Hawesville

The ASY's death could have been the result of a fight. But keep in mind that in one aspect martins are like people - each one that hatches has to die sometime. Your ASY's death could well have been natural. -- John
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Matt F.
Posts: 3978
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:48 am
Location: Houston, TX

Sorry to hear Bob.
Did you see any noticeable trauma (wounds or blood on head, or back of neck)?
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Bob
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:46 am
Location: Illinois/Fairbury

Thanks John & Matt. I have had martins for about 12 years and this is only the second adult I have found dead in the housing. I have had my share of dead baby martins over the years for various reasons. The only other adult I have lost in housing was a ASY female who was on nest, without eggs and she was just sitting there. This male was actually laying on his left side. I did not see any blood or any visible wounds. Maybe it was just his time.
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