PUMA training at Hornsby Bend

Purple Martins

In 2015, I learned what purple martins (PUMA’s) were from a local Austin couple—the Balinsky’s.

From there, I immediately was introduced to an amazing group of people who loved these swallows and learned all about how to prepare for their arrival, conduct nest checks throughout the breeding season, contribute to citizen science, and enjoy a special connection during fledgling season when they left Austin in late August.

It’s been almost a decide that I’ve enjoyed being a purple martin landlord, and it’s always a joy and wonder to see them back in town early in the season or hear a familiar gurgle or chirp in a community garden in the summer.

Audubon plate

What makes purple martins special?

  • Purple martins migrate from Brazil to North America every Spring to raise their young.

  • These birds are cavity nesters, living almost 100% in manmade structures, commonly gourds on racks in areas with a flyway.

  • PUMA’s are a staple of community gardens, learning that humans aren’t a threat to their well-being. PUMA “landlords” or “guardians” prepare for their arrival, conduct nest checks to encourage success, and enjoy purple martin roosts at the end of the summer.

When can I see purple martins?

Prepping gourds

January - August

In central Texas, the purple martin “season” runs from mid-January to the end of August. The Purple Martin Conservation Association has a great online resource on scout arrival for North America.

Early in the season, we take down last year’s gourds, bleach and scrub them, and prepare them for hanging.

House sparrow nest

What do nest checks involve?

Reserving + Monitoring

Early in the season, we ensure that PUMA gourds are open and available for purple martins by evicting house sparrow nests and starlings. Some modifications, like pool noodles and excluder entrances, help as PUMA’s get established.

Once we see the first purple martins appearing back in Austin in mid to late January, we track PUMA activity within the nests. We know PUMA’s are present when we see the first males appear, and couples begin to pair up.

What do nests look like?

A nest is present once PUMA’s start adding leaves (live oak leaves in central Texas) for bedding. They typically lay 1 egg per day until their clutch is complete (on average, usually anywhere from 5-7).

An early PUMA nest, complete with bedding

A full clutch of 7 eggs

An 11-egg nest this year, the most I’ve ever seen!

Every nest has its own personality

Life Cycle

Once eggs are laid, we monitor total eggs per nest and their hatch date. Estimating their hatch date is important for predicting their fledge date. PMCA has a great guide on sizing hatchlings!

In hot summers, we feed them crickets soaked in water. We watch them grow until they’re ready to leave the nest.

Purple martin parties

At the end of the summer, we gather for purple martin parties—a hurricane of 200k birds foraging, feeding, teaching each other to fly, and a sight to behold! It’s amazing to be part of their season before they migrate.