Ok I have 2 adult males at my sight so far. Don’t think I have ever had 2 adult males before I have had 1 adult and 1 or 2 subadult males before. But these guys are very aggressive towards one another. I was watching them yesterday and they would collide in the air fighting then fall to the ground then take of after one another again. The they both went into one of my large gourds and would have that gourd bouncing from all the fighting they were doing inside. ?? Should I let them fight it out if this happens again or drop the rack and open the gourd. They seem to have difficulty getting back out of the gourd when they are fighting. These are the only 2 birds I have and I don’t want them to kill one another. HELP
JHCox
2 males in a gourd fighting
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Hi,
This may appear to be very brutal behavior, but rest assure it is normal. This is typical on goings of males as they determine their cavity. Let them go about their tussles. As more martins arrive things will change accordingly. So there is no need to worry about what you are seeing.
This may appear to be very brutal behavior, but rest assure it is normal. This is typical on goings of males as they determine their cavity. Let them go about their tussles. As more martins arrive things will change accordingly. So there is no need to worry about what you are seeing.
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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 scold mine for fighting lol. I am always lowering the housing to break up fights. This is unusual that the first 2 would do this. Sounds like a battle for the alpha title.
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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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.
I try to break them up. Had 2 ASY Males go at it last year. Broke them up a few times & then we had to leave for an appointment. When we got home we found one was dead :(.
Toy in PA
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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jhcox
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 9:23 am
- Location: tennesse
- Martin Colony History: Started colony in 2014. 0 pairs
2015 0 pairs
2016 0 pairs
2017 0 pairs but visitors
2018 1 pair fledged 5
2019 10 pair
2020 25 pair
2021 42 Pair
2022 60 Pair
2023 72 Pair
2024 74 pair
2025 78 pair
Thanks for the help everyone like I said I haven't seen 2 of the males fighting this way before so I thought I should get some advice. And that's what I'm affair of ToyinPa that I'll get home for a 24 hour shift from the fire hall and fined 1 if not both of them dead inside the gourd. I hope that they stop fighting soon and get to calling some females into this Wannabe colony. Had my first breeding pair last year so one of these guys maybe my matriarch. Another ? I have 2 of the dawn song machines when should I turn these off if at all and let these to males do the mating call or ( Dawn Song). Thanks again JHCox
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-=DKC=-
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2017 2:26 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
- Martin Colony History: ................
2019: 11 pairs
2018: 11 pairs - 43 fledged
2017: 4 pairs - 17 fledged
I usually break them up unless all the other birds are in their gourds for the night. Then I don't have a choice but to let them fight it out.
Usually they break it up and fly out when I start lowering the rack. One time though, I lowered the rack all the way down and opened the cleanout and they kept fighting. I literally had to physically separate them. That one looked like a death match.
Usually they break it up and fly out when I start lowering the rack. One time though, I lowered the rack all the way down and opened the cleanout and they kept fighting. I literally had to physically separate them. That one looked like a death match.
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on suckin' till you do succeed." - Curly Howard
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KaraInTexas
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 7:29 am
- Location: North Texas
- Martin Colony History: 2020 - 10 nest sites.
2019 - 8 nest sites and 28 fledged.
2018 - Three mating pair. 12 babies, all fledged. Found one adult female dead in house. Cause of death - unable to ascertain. Very sad day.
2017 - First mating pair in Heath house. May 3-5: 5 eggs laid. June 1-3: all hatched. July 3: all 5 fledged.
Approximately 20 adult martins here for the fledge party.
July 1: Installed 4 gourds as well as the 3 houses. The Martins love them!
2016 - Many martins, no nests or eggs. Too many HOSP.
I have a 12 compartment Heath house I converted to a 4 compartment house to allow the Martins more room and hopefully evade owls. I have put in a second house, the S&K 12 compartment one which I converted to 6 compartments. My neighbor also has the same S&K house I converted to a 6 compartment house.
I have eight or more Martins that visit daily.
Holy crap! I have never seen this behavior! I think intuitively I would lower the house and try to stop them. Dead adult birds are no fun.
I have only been into this for a few years now. I am with Doug and would scold them. Time out for bad birdies! haha
Good luck!
I have only been into this for a few years now. I am with Doug and would scold them. Time out for bad birdies! haha
Good luck!
May the Martins be with you. 
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jhcox
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 9:23 am
- Location: tennesse
- Martin Colony History: Started colony in 2014. 0 pairs
2015 0 pairs
2016 0 pairs
2017 0 pairs but visitors
2018 1 pair fledged 5
2019 10 pair
2020 25 pair
2021 42 Pair
2022 60 Pair
2023 72 Pair
2024 74 pair
2025 78 pair
Yeah I started to lower the gourd And they decided to stop fighting and exit the gourd. Finished my 24 hour shift got home today haven’t seen any sign of the second Martin just the one original. Hope they both decide to stay maybe find some females here soon. Good luck all. JHCox