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Purple Martin

Progne subisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Swallows (Hirundinidae)
Purple-Martin Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Dark brown.
  • Head Pattern: Plain
  • Crown Color: Glossy dark purple-blue
  • Forehead Color: Glossy dark purple-blue
  • Nape Color: Glossy dark purple-blue
  • Throat Color: Glossy dark purple-blue
  • Cere color: No Data
Purple-Martin Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 18-22 cm (7.25-8.5 in)
  • Weight: 48-57 g (1.7-2 oz)
  • Size: Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color Primary: Blue, Black, Purple or Violet, Sheen or Iridescence
  • Underparts: Glossy dark purple-blue
  • Upperparts: Glossy dark purple-blue
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Purple-Martin Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Strong with graceful flight.
  • Wingspan Range: 39-43 cm (15.5-16.75 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Notched Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black
  • Under Tail: Black
  • Leg Color: Black
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Family
Species Progne subis
Length7.25 - 8.5 Inches
Wingspan16.125 Inches

Purple Martin

Purple Martin: Large, vocal swallow with glossy dark purple-blue body and forked tail. It is the largest North American swallow. Black bill, legs and feet. Stong, graceful flight, alternates a few rapid wing beats with long glides. Catches and eats insects in flight and also forages on the ground.

● Song: "tee-tee-tee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Purple Martin: Feeds on flying insects; catches prey in mid-air, flying at up to 45 mph or more when foraging. Weather unfavorable for insect activity lasting three or more days puts it at risk of starvation.

● Breeding & nesting: Purple Martin: Three to eight white eggs are laid in a cavity lined with mud, grass, and other plant material. Most nest in colonies in man-made birdhouses in developed areas and parklands. Incubation ranges from 15 to 18 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Purple Martin: Male is distinct; female is larger and flaps more slowly than Bank and Northern Rough-winged swallows.

Flight Pattern

Strong with graceful flight.
Purple-Martin Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Purple Martin: Breeds from British Columbia, central interior Canada, and Nova Scotia southward, but is absent from the interior western mountains and Great Basin. Spends winters in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open woodlands, residential areas, and agricultural lands.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationDeclining
MigrationMigratory
Weight1.7 - 2 Ounces