In the west, many birds follow the coast and then move south through Central America. These flocks will stay in an area for several days if the feeding conditions are good. Martins often gather in enormous flocks during the trip. The southward migration normally begins in July, and most birds have gone by the end of August. The adult males are the first to leave, followed shortly by the adult females and immature birds. Martins begin their southward migration within three weeks of the young leaving the nest. Martins arrive in Canada in early spring, usually in early April in Quebec and Ontario and from late April to early May in other areas. Martins are much less common in western Canada than in the eastern provinces. In British Columbia, martins are found in the Peace River region, southern Vancouver Island, and the extreme southwestern mainland. The Purple Martin breeds throughout much of southern Canada, including Nova Scotia, the southern portions of New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba southern and central Saskatchewan and north-central Alberta. Human-made martin houses are common in both the cities and the country. Their splendid flight, pleasant sounds, and the fact that Purple Martins eat insects have led to great efforts to attract these birds. The oldest martin on record is an eight-year-old recaptured at its breeding colony. In one experiment, adults that were transported several hundred kilometres from their nesting colonies returned in a matter of days.īanding has also provided information on the lifespan of martins. The ability of martins to find their colony is remarkable. Banded nestlings have also typically returned to their home colonies to breed, although a few young bred hundreds of kilometres from their birthplace. Of the adult birds banded and sighted again, most had returned to the breeding colonies where they were banded or to one near by. Recoveries of banded martins have provided extensive information about the movement of these long-distance migrants. Martins have been banded, or tracked by placing a numbered aluminum band around the leg, for many years. Back to top Habitat and HabitsĮverywhere the Purple Martin breeds, including parts of the continental United States, Mexico, and Cuba, it prefers open areas, especially if lakes or marshes are near by. Like other swallows, they are superb fliers, changing direction often as they pursue flying insects. In flight, martins alternate short glides with rapid flapping. The call of the martin is a series of loud, distinctive, gurgling notes. Young males only become dark at their second breeding season. Female martins are lighter in colour, with a pale grey throat and belly.īy the time they have left the nest, young martins of both sexes resemble adult females. Male martins, with their dark plumage, often appear to be black, but on bright sunny days their shiny blue-black coloration is clearly visible. The tail is forked but not deeply as in some other swallows. The Purple Martin resembles other swallows in having a slender body, long wings, and a wide beak. Averaging 17 to 20 cm in length, it is Canada’s largest swallow. The Purple Martin Progne subis is a conspicuous bird in many populated areas of North America during spring and summer.
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