Purple Martin

About the Purple Martin

The Purple Martin North America's largest swallow. They have a lot of speed and agility in flight, and when approaching their housing, will dive from the sky with their wings tucked at great speeds.

It is the only bird totally dependent on humans for nest sites.

Their breeding habitat is open areas across eastern North America, and also some locations on the west coast from British Columbia to Mexico. This species typically breeds in colonies located in close proximity to human housing. The eastern nominate race nests exclusively in man-made bird houses, of which about a million are provided.

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Details & Statistics

Added to Birdorable
Hatched on 05 August 2007
Scientific Name
Progne subis
  • Passeriformes
  • Hirundinidae
  • Progne
  • P. subis
Birdorable Family
Conservation Status
Least Concern (as of 8 April 2020)
LC
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW)
  • Extinct (EX)
Source: IUCN Red List
Measurements
Units: Imperial / Metric
8 inches

Range

International Names

Brazilian (Português brasileiro) Andorinha-azul
Chinese (汉语) 紫崖燕
Czech (Cesky) Jiřička Modrolesklá
Danish (Dansk) Purpursvale
Dutch (Nederlands) Purperzwaluw
Finnish (Suomi) Sinipääsky
French (Français) Hirondelle Noire
German (Deutsch) Purpurschwalbe
Italian (Italiano) Rondine Purpurea
Japanese (日本語) ムラサキツバメ (Murasakitsubame)
Norwegian (Norsk) Purpursvale
Polish (Polski) Jaskólczak Modry
Russian (русский язык) Пурпурная лесная ласточка
Spanish (Español) Golondrina Purpúrea
Swedish (Svenska) Blå storsvala
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Baby Birdorable: Purple Martin

Baby Birdorable: Purple Martin

If you think our Birdorable birds are cute as adults, what about when they are babies? Below are some baby photos (shared via Flickr) of the Purple Martin. Purple Martins nest in ... more