Bird House Plan
Purple Martin Bird House Plan , The Purple Martin is a popular backyard attraction. These swallows are migratory and return to North America in late February through August, feeding on insects.[1]
Like other birds, they are picky about the houses they use, and they need appropriate construction to keep them safe from bad weather and predators. The most comfortable homes will not just attract Purple Martins but will also help them survive.
Box Design for Purple Martins
Purple martins are aerial insectivores that feed on a variety of flying insects such as dragonflies, damselflies, flies, June bugs, grasshoppers, moths and wasps. [2]They are most commonly found in eastern North America where they winter and then return to their breeding range in Brazil in early spring.
A shortage of natural nest sites, particularly suitable tree cavities, has made Purple Martins almost entirely dependent on man-made housing. A good martin bird house plan will encourage these birds to return to your property year after year.
The most effective place to put your purple martin house is a relatively open area, especially near a water source.[3] Generally, this area should be about 12-18 feet above the ground and should have no trees taller than 30 feet.
When choosing a site, consider whether it is near an existing Purple Martin colony or other desirable habitat for them such as ponds, lakes, or streams. These areas are often the most attractive because they provide ample food for Purple Martins, especially when they are roosting or nesting.
Once you have chosen a site, the next step is to determine the best box design for your specific circumstances.[4] You can choose from a variety of styles and sizes of birdhouses, including clustered arrangements of several individual birdhouses.
For example, a cluster of four plastic “gourds” known as SuperGourds have been shown to be very attractive to purple martins and result in excellent nesting success. They also have rain guards that keep out rain and are easy to clean.
Other popular birdhouse designs for purple martins include wooden or metal houses. You can find these in a variety of shapes and sizes, with many options for adding extra features like porches or doors.
One of the most important things to remember when selecting a Purple Martin bird house is that the compartments must be large enough for the birds to lay a full clutch of eggs (up to seven) and raise their young.[5] You may see some purple martin bird houses for sale that have only six inch x six inch x six inch compartments, but research shows that these are too small.
Box Placement
In order to successfully attract purple martins to your backyard, you need to consider several things. The first is location. You want to place your bird house in a spot that is wide open so that they can fly around freely and hunt for food. You also need to make sure that the location is safe for them from predators like cats and snakes.
In addition, you need to consider the weather. You don’t want your birds to get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.[6] You also want to avoid places that have lots of tall trees in the area because they may cause too much shade on the birdhouse during the day.
Another factor to consider is competition from other bird species. These can include sparrows and wrens.
You can’t attract the right kinds of purple martins if there are other birds hanging out nearby that will steal their eggs and chicks. You need to keep the competition at a minimum so you can attract more purple martins to your birdhouse and have them nest in it year after year.[7]
It’s also important to have the right housing dimensions. Purple martins need plenty of room to nest in so they can hatch healthy and strong eggs. A good rule of thumb is to have a housing that is at least 6 x 6 inches in the main compartment. Larger houses, at 6 x 9 and 6 x 12 inches, are also recommended.
The housing needs to be mounted firmly on the pole or post, but not so tightly that it can’t spin around easily when the wind blows.[8] This can cause a lot of damage to the eggs and chicks inside and will scare away nesting parents.
Finally, you need to wait at least four weeks after the first purple martins arrive before putting your new house up. This gives the older males and females in your colony a chance to return to their old homes, which they will be nesting in once again for the next few months.
Box Management
Purple martins have a high site fidelity, meaning that they will return to the same nesting location each year if they have successfully fledged young from that nest. It’s important to ensure that these nest boxes are positioned in a way that encourages these birds to return again and again so they can raise their young.[9]
In addition, you should try to position your birdhouse in an area that’s not too cluttered with other kinds of trees and other structures because these birds tend to prefer open areas that allow them plenty of room to roam. This will help them hunt down food throughout the day and also give them a place to take a nice long swim after a full day of flying around looking for food.
Another thing you should do is make sure that the area you put your purple martin house in is sheltered from the sun. This will prevent it from getting too hot and can keep your tenants safe from predators as well.[10]
It’s also a good idea to make sure that there aren’t any other kinds of birds in the area so that they can’t get inside and start eating your new tenants. This can really mess up their whole breeding season since they don’t have enough room to lay their eggs and raise their chicks properly.
Finally, you should make sure that the area your purple martin birdhouse is in is free from predators such as squirrels and other animals that can easily eat up all of your tenants. This will ensure that you have a healthy family of these lovely birds living in your yard.[11]
When you are building your purple martin bird house, it’s important to keep in mind that these birds are extremely social creatures and they want to be able to interact with other birds in the area so that they can call out or chatter with each other if anything happens. They don’t like to be hidden away from the rest of their community so you should make sure that they have an area where they can interact with other swallows in the area.
Martins: The Always Helpful Visitor
Purple martins aren’t just a springtime staple in backyards across the nation, they’re also great company for humans of all ages. Their morning song and the ability to rid your garden of flying insects make them an oh-so-welcome visitor.
During their winter hibernation, purple martins are often seen perched in branches or tree trunks near a water source.[12] During the warmer months, they may be spotted on a nearby rooftop or flying around the neighborhood in search of food and shelter. Regardless of where they hang out, they are certainly the most entertaining birds to watch.
Although they are best known for their feisty antics, martins are actually very tolerant of human habitation. They will nest in a number of locations, from backyards to meadows to farmland and even in the bushes.
There are many ways to attract and keep martins in your yard, but the best way is to provide them with an interesting and safe place to live and play. To achieve this, you need a well-placed and functional bird house and plenty of trees to choose from.
The purple martin has been a favorite for centuries, but it’s only recently that homeowners have started putting up housing specifically designed for the plucky little birds.[13] To get the most out of your new purple martin bird house, you’ll want to pay close attention to their needs and preferences and be ready to act if they show up.
Birdhouse Plans
Purple martins like to live in large colonies, so they need to have a lot of space. They like to be able to fly around and get out of the house to go for a walk or to feed on insects. This can be hard to do in a smaller yard where they can feel trapped in four walls.[14]
Fortunately, there are a number of different ways to create a home for purple martins. One popular type of birdhouse is a classic “apartment” house that offers several compartments, each with a different entrance. These houses are typically hung from a pole to attract a colony of these birds.
Another great option is a plastic purple martin bird house that can be easily assembled. These are less likely to rot or rust, but they’re not quite as durable as wood. They may be more susceptible to storm damage.
These plastic martin houses come with a warranty, but it’s a good idea to check the warranty before you buy if you plan to use it in an area where severe weather is frequent. It’s also important to make sure that the birdhouse is sturdy enough to withstand strong gusts of wind.[15]
If the wind is blowing hard, your purple martin birdhouse will be exposed to a lot of pressure and this could cause it to collapse. So, it’s important to mount the birdhouse firmly and not too tight on a post or pole to avoid this.
This is especially important because martins are known for laying eggs and raising chicks, so they need to be secure. It’s also important to make sure the house is tall enough so that predators like squirrels can’t reach it.
There are many different types of birdhouses that can be made for purple martins. Some are simple and inexpensive, while others are more elaborate. These can be designed to look attractive and include features such as drainage holes for moisture.
Some are even built from gourds, which can be hung to create a cozy community of these birds. They’re very easy to find in stores and are a great way to get started with birdhouses for these colonial birds.
Story Purple Martin Bird House Plans
One of the best ways to attract these amazing birds to your backyard is by building a purple martin bird house plan. These homes are designed specifically to meet the needs of these wonderful creatures, and they also look great! You can choose from a variety of models to find the perfect fit for your yard.[16]
Most of these houses come in single or clustered units that feature multiple entrances. These are ideal for a new nesting site because they can be easily expanded as the colony grows. Having enough space for the entire colony of purple martins can be essential in the early stages.
These houses can be made out of a variety of materials including plastic and aluminum. Both options are good choices, but you may want to consider a model that is insulated for additional protection against the elements.
The material used for construction should be able to resist heat and UV light. Choosing an insulated birdhouse will make sure that the interior stays warm and comfortable, even when it’s cold outside.[17]
You should also think about the safety of your purple martins, which is why you need to make sure that the house is secure from predators. Predators such as raccoons, squirrels, snakes, and hawks are in search of food and will often try to raid a nesting site when there are young birds inside.
Many of these houses come with guard rails that extend around the perimeter of the housing to protect fledglings, but you should also consider adding baffles or other traps that will keep industrious hunters from reaching your birds. You can even get a set of traps that are specific to purple martins.[18]
Once your purple martins have nested, it is important to check on their progress. If you notice signs of trouble, such as a destroyed nest, then it is time to take action.
It is also important to position your purple martin house in an open area where the birds can see out over their nesting site. They need to have a clear line of sight to their home so that they can monitor their nest and their family safely.
How to Build a Purple Martin Bird House
You can build a purple martin bird house out of wood, aluminum, plastic, or even natural gourds. However, these types of houses should be painted white in order to reflect heat and make them more attractive to the birds.
You must also ensure that you have enough space for the house, so that these birds can fit inside comfortably. If the hole is too small, they may not be able to enter and leave as frequently as they need to.[19]
Moreover, you should add soothing colors to the walls of your birdhouse so that the birds will feel more comfortable inside. The walls should be a minimum of 3/4-inch thick to help improve internal temperatures.
In addition, the house should be placed in a location that is not too close to trees or other buildings. This way, the birds will not get scared away by any obstacles in their path.
If you do not have a lot of space, you can still attract the birds with a house that is close to a pond or other open water. This way, the birds can find food and a safe place to nest.
As a rule of thumb, you should have at least four cavities in your house so that the birds can nest in groups. You can increase this number if you can.[20]
Another thing to consider when constructing the purple martin bird house is the number of compartments. You should be able to accommodate at least six to twelve compartments in the house so that you can attract more martins to your backyard.
It is important that you do not forget to provide food for the birds when they are settling in the house. This can include twigs, grasses, and straws in the apartments so that the birds will have something to eat.
Besides, you should provide adequate ventilation in the house to keep it cool. This is necessary for the birds so that they can stay healthy and active.
You can also choose to purchase a retractable pole for the purple martin bird house, as it will allow you to raise and lower the house without a hassle. This will make it easier to monitor the birds in the house and check on any pests that might be in it.
Gourd Birdhouses for Purple Martins
Gourd birdhouses for purple martins are an attractive and affordable way to attract these critters. They are also easy to make and don’t require much maintenance.
These gourd bird houses can be made out of plastic, aluminum, wood, or even natural gourds. The outside of the house should be painted white to reflect sunlight and keep the inside cool in hot weather.
It is important that the entrance hole is 1.75 to 2.25 inches large so that adult martins can easily access the interior of the house. This will protect the nestlings from predators.
The size of the compartments should be adequate to accommodate 4-6 nearly-grown nestlings and both parents. It should also have enough space to allow the nestlings to spread out for cooling during warm summer days.
A minimum of four cavities is necessary to maximize the chances of a successful colony. If you’re planning to have a few pairs, you might want to consider using two sets of birdhouses, so that each pair has its own nesting space.
In addition, the cavity should be at least 6″ wide and tall to provide ample space for the parents and their broods. The compartments should also be at least a foot deep to offer the birds and hatchlings plenty of protection from predators.
If you’re unsure of the correct size to use, consult a wildlife biologist before building your birdhouse. They will be able to give you the appropriate information about the house’s dimensions and entrance hole sizes.
You can also purchase ready-made purple martin house plans to get you started on the right track. These will ensure that your birdhouse is built properly and will be the best home for the purple martins that you have in your garden.
When it comes to choosing the right gourd bird house plan for your garden, you should choose one that is easy to clean and provides the right amount of space for a purple martin nesting colony. In addition, you should choose one that is located in an open area that is away from trees and other structures that may cause stress for the purple martins.
