As temperatures drop in some parts of the Purple Martins' breeding range, it's important for Purple Martin hosts to be prepared to help their birds survive the cold!
Purple Martins are adversely affected by weather if the temperature is consistently below ~48 degrees for three days (or if there is constant rain for a period longer than three days). When this occurs, the martins dietary staple, flying insects, do not fly, and after the three day period martins will begin to die from starvation.
Hosts can prevent starvation and other cold weather-related deaths by supplemental feeding, heating, and observation.
How You Can Help:
Supplemental Feeding Although martins normally catch their insects while flying, they can be trained to accept supplemental food such as crickets, mealworms, or even scrambled eggs. Visit the Supplemental Feeding page for more information.
Heating If you have unoccupied cavities, place a light bulb or hand warmers inside the cavity, making sure that the entrance is blocked so martins cannot enter. This will help heat the surrounding cavities.
Observation Cold weather will also lead to “communal cavity roosting” by martins (i.e., many birds will congregate in one nest cavity for warmth). During times of severe weather, the bird closest to the entrance may die, preventing the other martins from leaving. Observe your colony site to make sure the entrances are not blocked.
I have had several days of unusually cold weather. We have at least 12 martins on the ground. We have tried to feed them, keep them warm, but they are all dying in front of us. What can we do?
If they'll let you pick them up, then they will most certainly die if left there either from the cold, starvation, or a predator. I would pick them up and put in cage or box and place in your house. Put some dried mealworms, superworms, and or crickets and some water for them. Find a local rehabber if available.
I have had several days of unusually cold weather. We have at least 12 martins on the ground. We have tried to feed them, keep them warm, but they are all dying in front of us. What can we do?
Hi Janet,
That's a difficult situation. Unfortunately, these wild birds are insectivores and don't always take to supplemental feeding methods. Sometimes you just have to try your best and let nature take its course. It seems like the cold spells are lessening across the range, so hopefully the weather will warm and your remaining martins will be ok. But this is definitely not an easy part of hosting Purple Martins - watching them struggle when we care so much about them! Always feel free to give us a call at 814-833-7656 for more ideas and problem-solving specific to your situation.
