![]() ![]() Tree Swallows are smaller than Purple Martins, with bluish-green backs, shorter tails, and snowy white bellies. The back, wings, and tail of Barn Swallows are blueish-black, with a cinnamon-colored forehead and throat. They also have a dark brown stripe across the upper chest.Īdult Barn Swallows have longer and more strongly forked tails than those of Purple Martins. Bank Swallowsīank Swallows are much smaller than Purple Martins, with a brownish back and a white throat and belly. However, observing them carefully can help them determine the visitors. Often when these impostors visit backyards, people mistake them for Purple Martins. ![]() Other species are sometimes confused with Purple Martins due to their similar plumage and flight styles. This is a large species found in the western mountains, with females having paler underparts. This is a subspecies found in Mexico and the southwestern United States, characterized mainly by its nesting habits. The nominate type, and has the usual features of the species and breeds in eastern and mid-western North America. There are three subspecies of the Progne subis, which are: Progne subis subis The Purple Martin comes from the genus Progne and is known as Progne subis. When it first arrives on the breeding grounds in early spring, the male sings a churring “dawn song” around potential nest sites in an attempt to attract females and other Martins. ![]() The immature females are very similar to adult females.īoth the male and female Purple Martins sing in a liquid, warbling chortle or gurgles, in a series of down-slurred notes. The underside of their feathers is all white or light-colored, with brown pinstripes running down the middle. The back feathers of a subadult female Purple Martin are a lighter purple to brownish color. The female Purple Martins take up to two years to acquire full adult plumage. Its throat, flanks, and breast are a dusky brown that becomes paler in the center of its belly. It, too, has a notched tail like its adult male counterpart. The adult female Purple Martin has dark gray upper parts with purple coloration here and there. Solid black feathers are noticeable on its chest in a blotchy pattern as it molts to adult plumage. The immature or subadult male is often a shade of grey, splotched with deep purple patches on its chin, throat, underparts, or tails. It takes the male three years to reach adulthood and gain its plumage. It has a distinctly forked tail which is a dusky brown-black like its wings. ![]() The adult male Purple Martin is the only kind in its family to have deep iridescent purplish-blue and black feathers all over its body. These birds are divided into four categories based on their age and sex. They are almost 18 to 22 centimeters in length with a tiny bill. Despite being distinct in physical appearance, very often, they are mistaken with other bird species.Ĭoming from the swallow family, Purple Martins are the largest songbirds native to North America. Unlike their name, Purple Martins are not actually purple in color. What does migration mean to Purple Martins? Why do they travel so often, and where do they go when they leave their home? Keep reading to find out interesting facts about the Purple Martin and Purple Martin migration. Purple Martins, popular for their graceful flight and melodic singing, are one of the largest swallows in North America. The Purple Martin migration has fascinated not just ornithologists but also birders who watch these birds flock around their backyard during their seasonal migration. Ornithologists study the migration path of all the species and laboriously sketch a migration map. They move to places that are thousands of miles away and often come back to the same wintering and nesting locations every year. Migration is one of the most critical life processes for any bird. However, the Purple Martin migration takes place continually, throughout the year, mainly because of their choice of diet. They travel from areas with decreasing resources to areas with abundant food and safe nesting locations. Seasonal migration is a common practice among many bird species. ![]()
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