by Mark Dietrich Part One: SELECTING PURPLE MARTIN HOUSING The following suggestions are offered for anyone considering purchasing purple martin housing, with the most important factors being listed first: LOCATION: Before buying a purple martin house be sure that you have an acceptable place to put it. Martins require open areas at least 20' to 30' from the nearest tree that is as high or higher than the house. The base of the house should be free of any vegetation other than grass for at least 10' in all directions. An area 20' to 100' from a human house is ideal and a location adjacent to water, while not required, is a plus. Average height for houses are 12' to 15' although in wide open areas 7' to 10' might suffice while heavily wooded areas may require 20' or more to insure that the house is higher than adjacent trees. RAISING AND LOWERING: The housing unit must be capable of being easily and quickly lowered or raised by the owner without disturbing eggs or young birds. A house raised or lowered with a winch should be accessible to all but the most severely disabled persons. Anyone reasonably healthy should be able to use a house fitted with a rope and pulley. It will require more strength and agility to use a telescoping pole. Gourds can be hung from a "tilt" pole but it's use requires strength and fitness. Do not buy or build a house that you can't raise and lower easily. If you can't check your house at least once a week, eventually you will have problems and the martins will suffer. Purple Martins nest in groups/colonies and readily use human-supplied housing. OPENING COMPARTMENTS: Whether you have wooden, metal or plastic houses or natural or plastic gourds you must be able to easily check the inside of each compartment. Houses should have doors that can be opened and closed easily and quickly. Gourds should have some means of access large enough to put your hand in. Starlings, sparrows, and snakes may invade compartments and need to be removed as quickly as possible. A young bird can die and if not removed can contaminate an entire nest. An egg may fail to hatch and if not removed can break and attract flies which may then attack nestlings. Doors that access individual compartments are best. Those that access two or more compartments at once are less desirable. If a house does not have a door that will allow you to open it easily and put your hand in the nesting area, don't buy it. COMPARTMENT SIZE: For years, a 6" x 6" x 6" compartment has been considered standard and is found in almost all commercial houses. Martins can and do nest in these compartments and six humans have lived in a one-room efficiency apartment. Neither is very comfortable. Larger compartments 6 1/2" to 7" wide and 9" to 12" deep are better but they have some drawbacks in that they attract starlings. Many landlords are currently modifying commercial houses to combine two small compartments into one large one. When using larger compartments more attention must be given to the size and shape of the entrance hole. ENTRANCE HOLE: Typically, entrance holes have been round and anywhere from 1 3/4" to 2 1/2" in diameter with 2 1/8" seeming to be preferred. Holes have been placed 1/2" to 1 1/2" from the bottom of the hole to the floor of the compartment. With the larger compartments and the need to exclude starlings as much as possible, many landlords are now using holes 1 3/16" high by 2 1/2" to 3" wide (slotted) or a "half-moon" or "crescent" shape that is also 1 3/16" high and is the top of a 3" circle. Some martins can't get in these holes and some starlings can but most martins can get in and most starlings are excluded (the “excluder” hole completely keeps out starlings). Research on entrance hole design is continuing and perhaps in a few years we will have the "ideal" solution. MATERIAL: Houses can be made of wood, metal (preferably aluminum), or plastic while gourds are generally either natural or plastic. Different people prefer different materials but all will suffice if used properly. Wood is heavy and requires regular maintenance (painting & caulking, etc). Treated woods are presumed to be unhealthy for birds so cypress, cedar or redwood are usually used. Aluminum is most frequently used for martin houses and is very satisfactory when painted white. Brushed or milled aluminum doesn't seem to be quite as attractive to martins. Plastic houses are just starting to be used and are promising if used properly and of good design and construction. Natural gourds will last for years if soaked in copper sulfate and painted yearly and kept out of the elements during the "off" season. Plastic is becoming more popular as a gourd medium since it is easily cleaned and prepared for the following year, requires little preparation or maintenance and is relatively inexpensive. Originally supplied by Native Americans, gourds are the oldest form of martin housing. COLOR: White is highly recommended for all purple martin houses and gourds since it reflects heat better than other colors. Dark colors absorb heat. Pastels may be used for trim or accent if desired. PORCHES: Gourds do not have porches and they should not be added, but there is an exception - gourds with excluder entrances will work better with porches, and crescent entrances on plastic gourds work better with porches too. Crescents on natural gourds do fine without them so guess that's a question of landlord perogative. Purple martins are cavity nesters and do not need porches but perching predators, such as crows, find them very handy. Canopies can be placed over gourd entrances to help keep out rain and if of a rough texture will serve as a perching place for martins without providing help to predators. All commercial houses available today come with porches, even though they are neither necessary or desirable. If they can't be removed without doing damage to the house structure landlords should place dividers between compartments to dissuade males from trying to claim more than one compartment and to keep young birds from wandering into the wrong compartment. It is also highly advisable (in Southwest Florida it is virtually necessary) to provide owl/crow guards to keep those predators from decimating the colony. Only a few houses on the market have commercial owl/crow guards that can be purchased as add-ons. All the rest have to be built and added by the owner. PREDATOR GUARDS: In addition to owl/crow guards on the house to deter predators and starling-resistant doors on the compartments to deter a nest site competitor, it is important to have some type of predator guard at the base of the pole to ward off snakes, cats, raccoons, squirrels and any other bird-eating, climbing predators in the area. Snakes can and do easily climb poles and putting grease on them only lets you see the tracks they've made as they went up to raid the house. There are commercial predator guards available on the market that look like a 3' piece of stovepipe suspended from a solid circular piece of metal at the top. The base of the pipe is loose and moves toward the pole as a cat or raccoon tries to climb it (put it high enough so they can't jump to the top of the guard and climb the pole from there. Innovative landlords who are handy with tools can devise and put up their own predator guards made from 6" or larger stove pipe, PVC pipe, etc. Research is still going on to come up with the most effective predator guard that is the easiest to use. NESTING MATERIAL AND HOUSE CLEANING: For years everyone believed it was necessary to clean out purple martin nesting compartments each year and let them build a new nest in the spring. Research has shown that this was wrong. Martins prefer to nest in compartments with material already in place and without needing to spend energy for about a week building a nest they can nest sooner and channel their energy into producing more eggs and tending the young. We still remove nesting material each year from houses and gourds in order to protect and preserve the nesting compartment. Old, moist bedding with acid bird droppings and insect remains tend to deteriorate houses and gourds faster. Throughout the nesting period, martins also 'keep house' by replacing dried and soiled leaves with fresh ones. To eliminate the need for martins to replace the nesting material we removed, we add material shortly before their expected arrival. It is best to use material the birds naturally use in each area of the country. In Southwest Florida, martins use a lot of coconut fiber taken from the trunks of palm trees, pine needles, and dried palm fronds for nesting and landlords tend to use those also. Whatever is used should be non-toxic and not absorb water. DRAINAGE AND VENTILATION: No compartment can be kept completely dry, particularly in driving rainstorms, so some provision should be made for drainage. Gourds generally have a number of holes (about 3/8" seems to work) on the bottom. Metal and wooden houses generally allow water to drain down the back and side walls through slight cracks between the floor and wall. Some commercial houses have "sub-floors" that raise the nest slightly. Many landlords use heavy plastic mesh canvas (used for needlepoint) in both houses and gourds. It has the added advantage of providing a rough texture that young birds can grip with their toes and avoid leg deformities that can occur when birds are unable to grasp slippery metal or plastic floors. Smaller compartments require more ventilation than larger ones since the air doesn't circulate as well. Gourds generally have ventilation holes near the top and some landlords place a small PVC "elbow" at the top to vent hot air. Houses generally have two holes at the top of each of the four sides of the compartment. Again, 3/8" seems to be sufficient to provide some ventilation in addition to the entrance hole. Purple Martins enjoy perching places including those provided by their 'landlord'. PERCHES: Martins love to have places to perch and watch their house. Telephone or electric wires in the area of the house are great and TV or ham radio antennas also are often used. Commercial perches that can be clamped on a galvanized pipe are also available. Most houses are sold with some sort of perch on the top and landlords often add more or longer perches in order to accommodate more birds. Perching areas of any kind definitely are a help in attracting martins to a colony. MISCELLANEOUS: Some manufacturers of purple martin houses and plastic gourds provide sparrow or starling traps that can be placed in entrance holes to help manage these destructive nest competitors. Other traps are available that can be placed near the martin house or where the pests usually gather. They have to be closely monitored to be sure native, non-target birds are let free at the earliest opportunity. A proper house is only part of a successful purple martin colony. Management by the landlord, including checking each compartment at least weekly during the nesting season is equally important. Purple Martin (male) Part Two: EUROPEAN STARLINGS & HOUSE (English) SPARROWS These two species have been introduced to North America and are not protected by law. The Starling and House Sparrow compete for available cavities to nest in with our native cavity nesting birds and these birds actually kill adult and young native birds. They also destroy the eggs of native birds. These two species are second only to habitat destruction in reducing the numbers of native cavity nesters in North America. Please do not consider providing housing for Purple Martins if you are not prepared to eliminate Starlings and House Sparrows. If using an air rifle is not allowed in your area, or you are not comfortable shooting these birds, trapping is a very productive alternative. The trapped Starling, or House Sparrow can then be "put to sleep" by using ether (engine starting fluid) in a small plastic bag. This is a very quick and humane way to eliminate these two menaces. All too often wishful Purple Martin landlords will erect housing, only to have it taken over by Starlings and House Sparrows. Purple Martins will not attempt to nest in housing that is occupied by either of these species. Allowing these species to reproduce in Purple Martin housing only adds to the problems that Purple Martins and other native cavity nesting birds have to deal with already. Of course, you MUST be able to identify these birds, as other Sparrows are native and beneficial, so make sure that you know your birds! Part Three: PURPLE MARTIN RESOURCE GUIDE Both current and prospective purple martin landlords often ask where they can obtain further information or search for products and materials related to purple martins. The following is a listing of some of the sources that might be of interest and is believed to be current as of November, 2003. Any additions, deletions or corrections which readers believe should be made may be brought to the attention of the Collier County Extension Service or the Purple Martin Society of Collier County for consideration when making revisions for future publication. ORGANIZATIONS: PURPLE MARTIN SOCIETY OF COLLIER COUNTY 3090 55TH Terrace, S.W. Naples, Florida 34116-8034 (239) 455-0201 E-MAIL Purple Martin Society of Collier County A local club in SW Florida that meets for lunch to discuss purple martins monthly from October through May. Members receive a newsletter about a week prior to each meeting. Dues are $8.00 per calendar year or $1.00 per meeting month remaining in the year (no meetings June through September). Mail dues payable to: PMSCC to SUE GLASSON, Treasurer; 4850 Berkeley; Naples FL 34112 PURPLE MARTIN CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION Edinboro University of PA Edinboro, PA 16444 (814) 734-4420 FAX: (814) 734-5803 E-MAIL Purple Martin Conservation Society (PMCA) Products catalog Forum Scout arrivals A non-profit organization founded in 1986 and devoted exclusively to the scientific study of Purple Martins, their biology, and habitat requirements. Members receive a quarter magazine, "The Purple Martin Update". Anyone may request a copy of their 24 page "Martin Market Place Catalog" full of purple martin products and information. Annual membership fees are $20.00 Student/Senior, $25.00 Basic, and $30 family. THE PURPLE MARTIN SOCIETY, N.A. (Formerly Purple Martin Society of Illinois) 7510 Farmingdale Drive, Suite #107 Darien, IL 60561 (630) 850-8529 E-MAIL The Purple Martin Society, NA Roundtable Conferences The Purple Martin Society, NA (PMS) is an active Purple Martin landlord society that has quickly evolved from a regional to a national organization. Three times a year the PMS distributes a 32 page (or more) publication to its members. This publication, called The Scout Report, is filled with information and educational articles, in depth reports on purple martin related products, research and development ideas, etc. The PMS also hosts a voluminous source of Purple Martin information on its Internet site and its Roundtable Conferences create a one-stop internet source of complete Purple Martin information, as well as conferences profiling bluebirds and general birding. The PMS holds three meetings a year (spring, summer, fall) in the Chicago area. Membership is $22.50 per year plus $7.50 for one spouse or child. THE NATURE SOCIETY Purple Martin Junction Griggsville, IL 62340 (217) 833-2323 Fax: (217) 833-2123 E-MAIL The Nature Society Order Desk Only: 1-800-625-2100 This organization publishes the monthly "Nature Society News", a tabloid newspaper format of about 30 pages devoted primarily to purple martins but including articles about bluebirds, hummingbirds and a variety of other birds as well as letters from readers. This is essentially the advertising arm of Nature House, Inc., the manufacturer of Trio, Mussleman, and Duracraft aluminum purple martin houses. Possible adverse comment about gourds or any martin houses they do not manufacture but a highly interesting paper. Membership is $15 per year. MANITOBA PURPLE MARTIN CLUB Box 36 Group 615 SS 6 Winnipeg, Manitoba R2C 2Z3 Canada (204) 256-2079 E-MAIL Alberta Canada Birds of Prey Centre/Prairie River Quest This is the oldest known purple martin club in existence, having been founded in February, 1980. The club has erected purple martin towers in Gimli, Boissevain, Deloraine, Neepawa, and the Fort Whyte Nature Center. The club has also donated over 60 houses at seniors' homes throughout Manitoba and hosts displays at local malls. Membership is $10.00 per year per family and members receive 4 newsletters each year. MANUFACTURERS: PLASTICRAFT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. 115 Plasticraft Drive Albertville, Alabama 35950 1-800-239-4105 Plasticraft Natureline Manufacturer of the Natureline series of plastic wildlife products which include gourds, gourd poles, bird feeder, hummingbird feeder, and bluebird house. The gourds are 11" in diameter and have a removable front access hole and canopy combination. They can be ordered with round, slotted or crescent holes and solid fronts are available for landlords who want to close the gourds for the winter or cut out their own hole configuration. Call for a free color brochure and current price list. THE BIRDS’ PARADISE 20835 Morris Rd. Conneautville, PA 16406 (814) 587-3879 Order Desk: 1-800-872-0103 Andrew M. Troyer 1993 PMCA Landlord of the Year The home of Troyer’s T-14 wooden purple martin house, a house with 14 compartments 11" deep. Options include purchasing just plans, a kit ready to assemble, or an assembled house (unpainted). A mounting kit with winch, cable and other parts is also available. Landlords must purchase two 20' 2" x 6" and two 10' 2" x 6" pressure-treated boards and laminate them to form a single pole on which to mount the house. Other items are also offered for sale including bluebird houses, sparrow and starling traps, SuperGourds, Troyer Horizontal Gourds, bird feeders and books. Write or call for a current catalog and prices. LONE STAR PURPLE MARTIN HOUSES P.O. Box 157 Mexico, MO 65265 1-888-985-2473 E-MAIL Lone Star Purple Martin Houses Manufacturer of a rather new line of aluminum purple martin houses and a new gourd rack that will accommodate 16 gourds. Check for current models available and prices. BOOKS: STOKES PURPLE MARTIN BOOK by Donald and Lillian Stokes & Justin L. Brown; © 1997. Little, Brown and Company $11.95 at most bookstores 96 pages, 8 1/2" x 11" Color photographs throughout ENJOYING PURPLE MARTINS MORE by Richard A. Wolinski; © 1994. Bird Watcher's Digest Press $3.95 from Bird Watcher's Digest 1-800-879-2473 33 pages, 5 1/4" x 8" Color photographs PURPLE MARTIN REHABILITATION MANUAL by Carlyle Rogillio; © 1998. The Nature Society in conjunction with Helping Hands, Inc. $4.00 from The Nature Society Purple Martin Junction Griggs-ville, IL 62340 1-800-625-2100 41 pages, 5 1/2" x 8 1/4" Black & white photographs HOW TO CONTROL HOUSE SPARROWS by Don Grussing, © 2000. $6.95 from D. Grussing 1504 Lake St. Ext. Minnetonka, MN 55345 51 pages, 5 ½” x 8 1/2". WEB SITES: Both current and prospective purple martin landlords often ask where they can obtain further information or search for products and materials related to purple martins. The following is a listing of some of the sources that might be of interest and is believed to be current as of November, 2003. Any additions, deletions or corrections which readers believe should be made may be brought to the attention of the Collier County Extension Service or the Purple Martin Society of Collier County for consideration when making revisions for future publication. PROJECT SWALLOW National Wildbird Refuge Inc. This site explains efforts being made to promote and fund the National Wild Bird Refuge at the end of the causeway between New Orleans and Metairie, LA where it is estimated that about 8,000,000 martins pass through twice a year on their migratory route. Carlyle Rogillio is involved in this project. The use of trade names or comparisons in this feature is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a guarantee, warranty or endorsement of the products or the companies named and does not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of others. All Photos are copyright 2004 James R.Hill, III/PMCA