Purple martin

Description:

The Purple Martin is the largest North American swallow. These aerial acrobats have speed and agility in flight, and when approaching their housing, will dive from the sky at great speeds with their wings tucked. The average length from bill to tail is 7.9 in. Adults have a slightly forked tail. Adult males are entirely black with glossy steel blue sheen, the only swallow in North America with such coloration. Adult females are dark on top with some steel blue sheen, and lighter underparts. Subadult females look similar to adult females minus the steel blue sheen and browner on the back. Subadult males look very much like females, but solid black feathers emerge on their chest in a blotchy, random pattern as they molt to their adult plumage.

Habitat:

Semi rural.

Notes:

We've had no takers for our new martin house but our neighbor has a small colony that have returned for the last 10 years. They spend most days flying over our yards hunting insects on the wing & retire each evening to the martin house & sit on the outside rails noisily chattering away.