Progne subis                                              Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

Purple martins are easily recognizable by their distinctive glossy bluish-black plumage. They fly with rapid wing beats interspersed with glides, and their long, pointed wings and forked tails let them move rapidly and maneuver easily in the air. Like swallows, they seem to be perpetual fliers, circling low over water or flying in erratic patterns high overhead, snatching insects from the air.

Historically, the colonially nesting purple martin used tree cavities, but they readily adopted hollowed-out gourds. These birds are now commonly seen nesting in artificial boxes, “martin houses or apartments”, having largely abandoned tree cavities.

Purple martins are the largest swallow and breed in summer throughout Florida.

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