I have at my colony a leucistic martin. I first noticed him last year, but it was late in the season while they were feeding their young and didn't get an opportunity to get a picture of him. This year he came back and has claimed the same gourd. I may not get the opportunity to ever see another one in person again so I thought I should get a few pictures.
Jack
Leucistic Martin
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ljd-kc
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:05 am
- Location: Kansas City, Mo.
- Martin Colony History: Started my Colony in 2008 with 32 gourds and one ASY pair. As of 2017 I had 106 cavities with 106 pair.
- Attachments
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- Martin_1 (2).jpg (151.63 KiB) Viewed 4096 times
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- Martin_1 (1).jpg (130.13 KiB) Viewed 4096 times
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
That is awesome Jack. I hope he sticks around and that we can follow his progress.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Oh my what a prize!!! Thanks for sharing! 
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
Not only does he stand out among the other Martins.... but it only stands to reason that he would claim the thirteenth Gourd.. Wow 
Dave
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
2026- no pairs. One daily SYM here daily. Named him Riggs!
- IMG_0014-001.JPG (44.82 KiB) Viewed 3972 times
I hope you can see thispicture. I had just completed a new post about different birds coming to our yard, and i saw this guy. It was with other juncos, and i assume it is leucistic as well??? Is this common in all birds?
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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James Strickland FL
- Posts: 2249
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
- Location: Reidsville NC
- Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair
What a beautiful male martin. Most people will never see one at there colony. I do not think that Steve with one of the largest Colony in the US has had one.
PMCA MEMBER
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Ladybug
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Indiana/ Jamestown
- Martin Colony History: 2005-2019. Lots lookers, 2 successful nesting's.
2010-1 pair nested, 4 eggs destroyed(Wren).
2012- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2019- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged.
2021- 10 pair, 40 babies fledged.
2022- 17 pair, 10 eggs not hatched= appxy. 57 fledged.
ljd. What a neat photo. That one is a keeper for sure.
Thanks for sharing...
Thanks for sharing...
Joanne
Jack,
Great picture! I have to wonder how tough life has been for this guy. I was reading that albino martins seldom survive the first year because they are severely picked on by the other martins. Maybe he blends in with subbies good enough with his salt and pepper hair style that he gets by.
- Judy
Great picture! I have to wonder how tough life has been for this guy. I was reading that albino martins seldom survive the first year because they are severely picked on by the other martins. Maybe he blends in with subbies good enough with his salt and pepper hair style that he gets by.
- Judy
2016 - 4 Pairs with 16 fledged
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ljd-kc
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:05 am
- Location: Kansas City, Mo.
- Martin Colony History: Started my Colony in 2008 with 32 gourds and one ASY pair. As of 2017 I had 106 cavities with 106 pair.
Thanks to all for the replies! I was very excited last year when I spotted him in my colony, but also very disappointed that I didn't get a picture of him before the end of the year. Him and his mate raised and fledged 5 young last year, all of which appeared normal in color. He is already paired up and doing his daily duties of guarding his cavity and mate.
Dave, I guess gourd 13 is fitting, but what are the odds that is where he ended up!
Judy, I didn't know that about them being picked on, but I guess it stands to reason. I believe I read somewhere that their eyesight isn't as good also, which could impact their ability to feed. He seems to be doing fine as far as holding his cavity as my numbers increase. I'm going to try to follow him and his mate closer this year to see how he progresses.
Dan, that is a beautiful picture of what to me appears to me to be a junco. I know very little about leucistic birds, someone more knowledgeable would have to answer your questions, but I do know they are very uncommon.
Hope everyone has a great year!
Jack
Dave, I guess gourd 13 is fitting, but what are the odds that is where he ended up!
Judy, I didn't know that about them being picked on, but I guess it stands to reason. I believe I read somewhere that their eyesight isn't as good also, which could impact their ability to feed. He seems to be doing fine as far as holding his cavity as my numbers increase. I'm going to try to follow him and his mate closer this year to see how he progresses.
Dan, that is a beautiful picture of what to me appears to me to be a junco. I know very little about leucistic birds, someone more knowledgeable would have to answer your questions, but I do know they are very uncommon.
Hope everyone has a great year!
Jack