A Few Simple Facts About Purple Martins

Purple Martins are the largest member of the swallow family. However, in flight their wings are more triangular than other swallows.

Males are a handsome lot having a violet head and body with black on wing and tail. Females, youngsters, and first year males are light bellied and look very similar to smaller swallows.

The song of a martin is a distinctive, low pitched liquid rolling twitter and is unmistakeable.

Purple Martins have been known to build their nests in cavities of dead or dying trees, holes in cliffs, or just about anywhere from 3 to 30 feet high. But the most popular nesting place for the martin is in your own back yard int the houses you construct and put up for them. Their nests are made from leaves, grass, straw and twigs and the eggs are white and unmarked.

Purple Martins feed on a variety of flying insects, flies, bees, beetles, flying ants and moths, and here in the south, the dreaded mosquito!!

Many people build Purple Martin houses to attract martins early in the spring, which are generally well liked by the birds. They prefer the wooden condominium type houses. Most people like to paint there bird house white as white keeps the house cooler and is attractive to the birds. Aluminum and plastic is used also in the commercially built bird house, but wood is by far the best choice for keeping cool. The best height to mount your bird house is from 15 to 20 in the air, but lower heights to 10 feet will work in wide open spaces. Always be sure to put a predator guard on the pole to prevent predatory cats or other vermin from raiding the nests.

You can find just about any type of Purple Martin bird house made of Western Red Cedar at Cedar Creek Woodshop. Give it a look, won't you? Thanks

Courtesy: Cedar Creek Woodshop

Courtesy: Cedar Creek Woodshop
Please Visit Cedar Creek Woodshop for some very nice Purple Martin Bird house Designs Made Of Western Red Cedar.


A Guide for Servicing Your Chainsaw

Chainsaws provide many years of service for very little upkeep.... Read More

10 Free Gardening Products

One of the pleasurable spin-offs in organic gardening is finding... Read More

10 Tips for Successful Rose Planting

Planting roses isn't actually complicated, as long as you have... Read More

10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Ceramics

To care for your antique ceramics you need a gentle... Read More

16 Lawn Mower Safety Tips

1. Always read the instruction manual before operating your lawnmower.... Read More

22 Fun Things To Do With Your Dozen Rose Gift

Your dozen rose gift doesn't only have to decorate your... Read More

5 Most Popular Flowers for Your Garden

When planting a garden there are many questions which you... Read More

5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Cant Live Without

Gardening is fun and rewarding and may be considered a... Read More

5 Secrets to Growing Beautiful Roses

A rose is a rose is a rose - and... Read More

5 Simple Steps to Care For Your Push Reel Mower

Though most Push Reel Mowers made today are durable, they... Read More

5 Simple Steps To Dividing Your Hardy Water Lilies

If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide... Read More

5 Things To Consider Before Purchasing a Push Reel Mower

Push Reel Mowers are making a "comeback" of sorts, though,... Read More

7 Factors Needed for a Compost Pile

Compost, made from decomposed grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches,... Read More

8 Simple Tips to Keep Your Lawn Mower Running

1. If you have a non-electric mower which runs on... Read More

9-11 Changed Everything for the Garden Tractor Business

While traveling the US and occasionally taking the back highways... Read More

A Beautiful Rose Is Natures Gift

Roses are one of natures most beautiful and splendid gifts.... Read More

A Bit About Bare Root Roses...

Scents from the rose garden filling the air as you... Read More

A Compost Primer

Most gardeners and landscapers will agree almost unanimously that the... Read More

A Couple of Good Places to Buy Lawnmowers

After much searching and deliberation, I finally bought a lawnmower... Read More

A Few Simple Facts About Purple Martins

Purple Martins are the largest member of the swallow family.... Read More

A Garden Bench: A Beautiful Addition To Any Garden

Okay, so you have spent hours upon hours creating the... Read More

A Garden Pond in Your Landscape - Want Water in Your Yard?

A Garden Pond in your Landscape - Want Water in... Read More

A Kids Tree

During my youth kids were required to pass through a... Read More

A Little Known Secret to Successful Outdoor Gardening

Pruning...Outdoor gardening is so much easier when you know how.... Read More

A Look at Fall Flower Bulbs

Most people would think of fall as a season when... Read More

A Look at Planting Flower Bulbs

Flowers are a favorite of many backyard gardeners. Thanks to... Read More

A Quick Overview of Outdoor Hot Tubs

There is nothing quite as relaxing as a leisurely evening... Read More

A Rose is a Rose?

There are many varied definitions of what each color of... Read More

A Storage Bench Provides Much Needed Outdoor Space

If you are like most of us, there are two... Read More

A Teak Bench: The Perfect Complement To Any Outdoor Space

Are you searching for that perfect bench to set off... Read More

A Teak Chair - Create a Livable Outdoor Space with One

When creating a comfortable, usable outdoor space, nothing could me... Read More

A Teak Table - Accent Your Outdoor Decor With One

It's been time consuming, and there have been a lot... Read More

About Hummingbirds and How to Attract Them to Your Garden

Visualize watching a bright green hummingbird in your garden moving... Read More