More females than males at my site.

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randy741985
Posts: 176
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:08 pm
Location: NE Alabama
Martin Colony History: 2018-First Year 0 Martins
2019- Lots Lookers
2020- TBD
2021 - some visitor’s
2022-first pair fledged 5

How common is it to have more females than males? I think I have two extra subadult females.
2018-14 Gourds First Year 0 Martins
2019- 14 Gourds Lots Lookers
2020- 6 Gourds had one male stay 3 weeks.
2021- TBD
2022 First Pair 5 Fledged
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randyM
Posts: 254
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:30 pm
Location: Long Lake SD
Martin Colony History: * 2016 - 1 pair (ASYM + SYF) 2/3 eggs hatched 2 young fledged.
* 2017 - 4 pairs, 16/17 eggs hatched, 16 fledged, 16 banded - 2 banded SY returned in 2018 (12.5%)
* 2018 - 10 pairs, 46/52 eggs hatched, 45 fledged, 29 young banded - 3 banded SY returned in 2019 (10.3%)
*2019 - 32 pairs, 145/160 eggs hatched, 139 fledged - 87 young banded - 12 banded SY returned in 2020 (13.8%).
* 2020 - 35 pairs, 180/199 eggs hatched, 178 fledged - 150 young banded & 42 SY returned (28.0%)
* 2021 - 89 pairs, 363/446 eggs hatched, 355 fledged - 150 young banded & 19 SY returned (12.7%)
*2022 - 116 pairs, 495/579 eggs hatched, 471 fledged - 150 young banded & 27 SY returned (18.0%)
*2023 - 160 pairs, 708/828 eggs hatched, 572 fledged - 150 young banded & 38 SY returned (25.3%)
*2024 - 235 pairs, 950/1153 eggs hatched, 865 fledged - 100 young banded & 18 SY returned (18.0%)
*2025 - 200 pairs, 795/953 eggs hatched, 739 fledged - 200 young banded

How many total martins are currently at your colony? More times than not, there are more females than males at a colony, given there are more males in the overall population than females, but anything is possible. If you have a relatively low number of martins at your colony, listen to the 2 extra female's vocalize and determine if they have the additional "crick" at the end of their vocalizations, if they do, they are SY males. If you can't see a small dark feather or two on the breast of these birds, check the chin area with a good pair of binos or a spotting scope to determine if they might be SY males with only a fleck of purple feathering on chin. If they are females, hopefully they will attract some additional males to your site and decide to raise a family.

Randy
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randy741985
Posts: 176
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:08 pm
Location: NE Alabama
Martin Colony History: 2018-First Year 0 Martins
2019- Lots Lookers
2020- TBD
2021 - some visitor’s
2022-first pair fledged 5

I have three ASY males each has a female mate, and these extra two have been staying separated from one another. One of them could be a Male but I couldn't figure out why they are not paired up. I will take a closer look.

Thanks for the Reply.
2018-14 Gourds First Year 0 Martins
2019- 14 Gourds Lots Lookers
2020- 6 Gourds had one male stay 3 weeks.
2021- TBD
2022 First Pair 5 Fledged
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