A couple of years ago I had a leucistic asy male at my site. Unfortunately last year he did not return. I assumed that the odds were I would not have another one. Well this year a leucistic female showed up, and she has paired up with a banded asy male. I am not good at all at determining age of the younger females, as they get older it is much easier. Could someone tell me the age of this particular female, I would guess a second year only because she wasn't here last year, unless she came from another colony, then I'm wrong with that assumption.
Hope the weather has straightened out for everybody, it's been a long drawn out winter here.
Jack.
Leucistic Female
-
ljd-kc
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:05 am
- Location: Kansas City, Mo.
- Martin Colony History: Started my Colony in 2008 with 32 gourds and one ASY pair. As of 2017 I had 106 cavities with 106 pair.
- Attachments
-
- ASY or SY_1.jpg (94.99 KiB) Viewed 6405 times
-
- banded Male with Mate_1.jpg (126.13 KiB) Viewed 6405 times
-
- Leucistic Female_1.jpg (132.02 KiB) Viewed 6405 times
-
Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Pretty Bird. Do you see the dark feathers on the crissum(underside of tail). The dark feathers there indicate this is an Asy. An sy would only have white feathers there with very light brown pin striping, if any at all.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
-
Kyler
- Posts: 899
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
- Location: Colby, Kansas
- Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -
Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.
That’s a very pretty bird. I noticed this morning that I have a really dark female. She’s looks just like a dark SY male. I was getting ready to report it. She was setting on a gourd and then she took off and a ASY male came out. So she must be paired up.
Kyler,
Kyler,
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
-
marcus
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 10:21 pm
- Location: Fairland OK
- Martin Colony History: Mom n Dad had a plastic 12 unit martin house with some martins as long as I can remember. In 2013 they had 1 pair. I don't think they fledged any. I then started learning how to take care of martins and in 2014 we took that house down and put up a Troyer 18 gourd rack. We had 7 pair with 28 fledged.That summer I built a T-14 (I was only 12). I was also given 4 natural gourds that I hung beneath the T-14. In 2015, we had 23 pair although only 22 pair fledged young. They fledged 88 young. In 2016, we had 36 pair, 210 eggs, 163 hatched, 149 fledge!! One pair fledged 2 broods. In 2017, I had 36 pair with 35 fledging young. They laid 204 eggs, hatched 155, and fledged 152.
Interesting looking martin there! I also believe she is asy. Have you gotten the band number from her mate? I always love hearing about banded birds. Any story on him would be interesting.
-
sugarcreek
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 10:43 am
- Location: Sugarcreek, Ohio
- Martin Colony History: 2016 First Yr.
She is beautiful
16 - 14 Cavities 4 Act. Ne 9 fledged, 2.25 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
-
Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
2026- no pairs. One daily SYM here daily. Named him Riggs!
I am like you as far as indentifying the females, but that is one cool looking bird. It will be easy to tell if she returns!
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
-
ljd-kc
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:05 am
- Location: Kansas City, Mo.
- Martin Colony History: Started my Colony in 2008 with 32 gourds and one ASY pair. As of 2017 I had 106 cavities with 106 pair.
Hi Archer,
Thank you for the ID. You would think that I would know by now, but have seen many posts online concerning female age, and Ive been wrong more times than I'm right. Thanks again!
Hi Kyler,
On more than one occasion at first glance I thought I had an ASY male and after closer consideration it turned out to be a ASY female. At my site I have seen some really dark females!
Hi Marcus, I haven't had time to read the males band yet but I will. Since we have banded here in the past I would guess he is from my site. Early in my season, the weather was terrible for several days in a row, multiple times. Despite feeding 1,000+ crickets a day, during those stretches, I lost 1 male and 1 female. The male "A749" was banded at my site as a juvenile in 2011. Very sad day...at my site I've found no matter what I feed some just won't eat. He must have been one of those.
Hi Sugar Creek,
Yes she is pretty, easy to tell her part from the others when she is flying, with that almost white head.
Hi Dan,
Unless the female is really dark I still don't feel comfortable determining the age of the females. The leucistic male I had was an easy spot also. He chose the same gourd each year. If she returns, I would be curious to see if she chooses the same one also.
It's been a rough start here, as I'm sure it has at a lot of other sites as well. I would rather they show up later, instead of worrying about whether or not they can get out their gourd because of snow and or ice.
Thanks to all and hope you all have a good year!
Thank you for the ID. You would think that I would know by now, but have seen many posts online concerning female age, and Ive been wrong more times than I'm right. Thanks again!
Hi Kyler,
On more than one occasion at first glance I thought I had an ASY male and after closer consideration it turned out to be a ASY female. At my site I have seen some really dark females!
Hi Marcus, I haven't had time to read the males band yet but I will. Since we have banded here in the past I would guess he is from my site. Early in my season, the weather was terrible for several days in a row, multiple times. Despite feeding 1,000+ crickets a day, during those stretches, I lost 1 male and 1 female. The male "A749" was banded at my site as a juvenile in 2011. Very sad day...at my site I've found no matter what I feed some just won't eat. He must have been one of those.
Hi Sugar Creek,
Yes she is pretty, easy to tell her part from the others when she is flying, with that almost white head.
Hi Dan,
Unless the female is really dark I still don't feel comfortable determining the age of the females. The leucistic male I had was an easy spot also. He chose the same gourd each year. If she returns, I would be curious to see if she chooses the same one also.
It's been a rough start here, as I'm sure it has at a lot of other sites as well. I would rather they show up later, instead of worrying about whether or not they can get out their gourd because of snow and or ice.
Thanks to all and hope you all have a good year!
-
marcus
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 10:21 pm
- Location: Fairland OK
- Martin Colony History: Mom n Dad had a plastic 12 unit martin house with some martins as long as I can remember. In 2013 they had 1 pair. I don't think they fledged any. I then started learning how to take care of martins and in 2014 we took that house down and put up a Troyer 18 gourd rack. We had 7 pair with 28 fledged.That summer I built a T-14 (I was only 12). I was also given 4 natural gourds that I hung beneath the T-14. In 2015, we had 23 pair although only 22 pair fledged young. They fledged 88 young. In 2016, we had 36 pair, 210 eggs, 163 hatched, 149 fledge!! One pair fledged 2 broods. In 2017, I had 36 pair with 35 fledging young. They laid 204 eggs, hatched 155, and fledged 152.
Very sad but interesting! I have had nestlings banded in my colony last year and the year before and plan to again this year. So the stories are just beginning.
-
ljd-kc
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:05 am
- Location: Kansas City, Mo.
- Martin Colony History: Started my Colony in 2008 with 32 gourds and one ASY pair. As of 2017 I had 106 cavities with 106 pair.
Hi Marcus,
I found as my colony grew, for me at least, it lost a lot of its small personal connection with the martins. Banding helped bring some of that back. It is really interesting to follow those banded birds over the years.
Good Luck this year!
Jack
I found as my colony grew, for me at least, it lost a lot of its small personal connection with the martins. Banding helped bring some of that back. It is really interesting to follow those banded birds over the years.
Good Luck this year!
Jack
Hey Jack very interesting ,I know what you mean about the small personal connections . I am able to connect with one bird in particular This season. An ASY male arrived here about three weeks ago with no tail feathers .
2007 2 pair 8 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
-
marcus
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 10:21 pm
- Location: Fairland OK
- Martin Colony History: Mom n Dad had a plastic 12 unit martin house with some martins as long as I can remember. In 2013 they had 1 pair. I don't think they fledged any. I then started learning how to take care of martins and in 2014 we took that house down and put up a Troyer 18 gourd rack. We had 7 pair with 28 fledged.That summer I built a T-14 (I was only 12). I was also given 4 natural gourds that I hung beneath the T-14. In 2015, we had 23 pair although only 22 pair fledged young. They fledged 88 young. In 2016, we had 36 pair, 210 eggs, 163 hatched, 149 fledge!! One pair fledged 2 broods. In 2017, I had 36 pair with 35 fledging young. They laid 204 eggs, hatched 155, and fledged 152.
Thanks! Last year I did not find any banded sub adults returning to my colony. However, our neighbors about a mile away got two of my banded sub adults! So I will be able to track these some, but I wont know how many young they raise and some other misc. info like that.
-
James A Lenz
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:30 am
- Location: AL, Athens, Limestone County
- Martin Colony History: 2017 New Landlord 11 cavities offered 3 pair fledging 8.
The banding of the birds sounds very interesting. How does one go about getting their birds banded?lynnh wrote:Hey Jack very interesting ,I know what you mean about the small personal connections . I am able to connect with one bird in particular This season. An ASY male arrived here about three weeks ago with no tail feathers .
-
marcus
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 10:21 pm
- Location: Fairland OK
- Martin Colony History: Mom n Dad had a plastic 12 unit martin house with some martins as long as I can remember. In 2013 they had 1 pair. I don't think they fledged any. I then started learning how to take care of martins and in 2014 we took that house down and put up a Troyer 18 gourd rack. We had 7 pair with 28 fledged.That summer I built a T-14 (I was only 12). I was also given 4 natural gourds that I hung beneath the T-14. In 2015, we had 23 pair although only 22 pair fledged young. They fledged 88 young. In 2016, we had 36 pair, 210 eggs, 163 hatched, 149 fledge!! One pair fledged 2 broods. In 2017, I had 36 pair with 35 fledging young. They laid 204 eggs, hatched 155, and fledged 152.
The best way is to find a local person who is licensed to band martins. Ask them if they would be interested in coming to your colony and banding your nestlings. Since there are only a few people in the country licensed to band purple martins, it may not be possible.