Good morning to all... I am interested in about how many trips a martin usually
will make to south America in a normal live time. The reason i am asking this
is i had a SY male stay last year with a mate they raised two young. This
year the same male came back as a ASY he now has another mate they are
feeding young now so i know in about three weeks they will fly the coop, I.
was hoping the pair would attract a extra pair or two this year but that didn't
happen so now i am banking on them coming back, and hopefully getting
a few extra pairs next year. Thanks for any info.
About how long does a martin live in the wild?
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Mary Dawnsong
- Posts: 1685
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 8:17 pm
- Location: Michigan, Livingston County
Hi Aaron,
According to bird banding records, the record lifespan is almost 14 years.
However, this study found that the average lifespan is about one year across all age groups. An SY bird has a 61% chance of surviving.
http://purplemartin.org/update/15.3-HowLong.pdf
Note that the above study preceded the trend towards supplemental feeding.
It seems likely to me that martins have longer lifespans when their landlords insure that they don't starve while in residence.
Another thing to keep in mind is that martins do not mate for life.
They usually choose a different partner each season.
This very interesting study explains that and much more:
http://purplemartin.org/update/Age-spec ... s12(2).pdf
My best, Mary
According to bird banding records, the record lifespan is almost 14 years.
However, this study found that the average lifespan is about one year across all age groups. An SY bird has a 61% chance of surviving.
http://purplemartin.org/update/15.3-HowLong.pdf
Note that the above study preceded the trend towards supplemental feeding.
It seems likely to me that martins have longer lifespans when their landlords insure that they don't starve while in residence.
Another thing to keep in mind is that martins do not mate for life.
They usually choose a different partner each season.
This very interesting study explains that and much more:
http://purplemartin.org/update/Age-spec ... s12(2).pdf
My best, Mary
Last edited by Mary Dawnsong on Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Click here to see my colony
"In Michigan every martin matters"
"In Michigan every martin matters"
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dancingirl76
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:09 am
- Location: Albia, IA
Mary,
Thanks so much for posting that link. That was really interesting to read. What an impressive study Dr Morton did!
Thanks so much for posting that link. That was really interesting to read. What an impressive study Dr Morton did!
dancingirl76
The article is interesting and I'm sure it is accurate. It is hard to understand how Martins survive as a species. If only 27% of the fledglings make it one year and there are many that don't even make it to fledge.
Colony started in 2002
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
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Mary Dawnsong
- Posts: 1685
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 8:17 pm
- Location: Michigan, Livingston County
Yes, it did seem puzzling when I first read that paper. But then I realized that in order for the martin population to remain constant, a martin only needs to replace itself during its lifetime. They sure have to work awfully hard to do that!
According to the North American Breeding Bird Study, the martin population has remained pretty much constant for decades. It is down in some areas, up in other, but little change overall.
From what I've read, the mortality rate of purple martins is similar to those of other songbirds. This explanation, using the British robin as an example, makes sense to me:
http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/bird_lifespan.htm
According to the North American Breeding Bird Study, the martin population has remained pretty much constant for decades. It is down in some areas, up in other, but little change overall.
From what I've read, the mortality rate of purple martins is similar to those of other songbirds. This explanation, using the British robin as an example, makes sense to me:
http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/bird_lifespan.htm
Click here to see my colony
"In Michigan every martin matters"
"In Michigan every martin matters"
Mary... Thank you for the good information you sent, i really
enjoyed reading it...Thanks again!
enjoyed reading it...Thanks again!
1990 -2009 trying
2010 1 pair 2young fledged.
2011 1 pair, & 1 SY male...6 young hatched 5 fledged.
2012 1 pair...4 young fledged.
2013... Back to starting over...
2010 1 pair 2young fledged.
2011 1 pair, & 1 SY male...6 young hatched 5 fledged.
2012 1 pair...4 young fledged.
2013... Back to starting over...