ID Questions

[JASpillman]

I put up a Purple Martin barn just over a year ago after seeing a purple bird investigating the remains of an old dilapidated birdhouse. I still haven't been able to attract any Purple Martins although Bluebirds used it for a nest last summer. I then put up Bluebird houses at opposite ends of the clearing. Yesterday morning, I saw a purple bird in one of the Bluebird houses. I didn't get a good look but it appeared to be solid purple. All pictures of Purple Martins that I see have a lot of black on the wings. What could this lone purple bird be? Then, a few hours later, I came outside The St. Francisville, La. Pharmacy and on an eye-level sign on the wall were two birds that appeared to be tame. I walked right up to them before I noticed them then just stopped and looked at them. Their heads and faces looked like Purple Martins and their back feathers were a dark blue color. One was completely orange like a Bluebird on the chest and underside and the other was white on the underside with an orange bib. I have never seen orange on a Purple Martin in any photos. Could these birds be Purple Martins or Bluebirds. The dark blue feathers are darker than any that I've ever seen on any Bluebirds before. My Martin barn is closer to trees than recommended but the only birds that I have noticed flying above the treetops are Buzzards and Crows. I put out birdseed for the Cardinals, etc. and there's regular traffic of the seed-eaters flying low between feeders and into the trees but not much activity above.

[JASpillman]

I just noticed the "Purple Martin Imposters" page on the site. There's a photo of a barn swallow that looks exactly like one of the birds that I saw at the pharmacy. I guess they live there and are in close contact with customers constantly.

[C.C.Martins]

Hello! Unlikely to be a purple martin going into the bird house. Maybe a tree swallow?

[JASpillman]

I suppose that it could be a tree swallow. It surprised me to see it so I ran inside to get my range finder to get a better view. I focused in on the opening just as it flew out. I don't want to disturb it, hoping that it will build a nest but I will be keeping a look-out for it.

[C.C.Martins]

I love our martins cousins, wish we had them here. Hope they do ok for you guys!

[flyin-lowe]

The dead giveaway for tree swallows is their snow white underside.

The best thing to do if you are new to this is to go to youtube and watch a video or two of a martin colony. Their vocalization is distinct and once you hear it you won't mistake it for any other birds. Identifying the different age martins (SY males from females etc.) can be difficult, but there are no other birds that sound like a martin.

[fotoimages]

Good Morning Everyone,
Its my first year trying to attract PM’s so I can’t be very helpful on them. I’m learning from these guys as I go along. Very knowledgeable group and I appreciate them steering in the right direction.
I have had a lot of experience with both the Barn and Tree Swallows. It sounds like your describing a Barn Swallow to me. Of all of the swallows I’ve been involved with the tree swallow has been the most friendly. I’ve been able to walk right up to them especially while cutting grass on my tractor (I don’t know maybe they were looking to see what kind of dinner I was kicking up for them in the grass). They would have the “dark” colored or teal colored back. Also they would have a white chest. Now the Barn Swallow (sounds like what your describing) would have the dark back, orange chest and a forked tail. They too can be awfully friendly as well. I have had the Barn Swallows fly so close to me that I could hear their wings. I have a nest of Barn Swallows every year in my pole barn and they let me work while they nest. Sounds like possibly a mail and female pair of Barn Swallows. My experience has been between the two bird types the only the Tree Swallow will nest in the Bluebird houses where the Barn Swallows will nest in their mud nests attached to a wall or under the floor of a loft. I have a lot of houses out and the Tree Swallows seem be good neighbors with the Blue Birds so having both shouldn’t be a problem. I’m looking forward to them all returning here to NE Ohio. No scouts yet where I live but there getting close. House is up and ready.

fotoimages - Dave

[JASpillman]

The bluebird house has a nest in it as I can see pine straw sticking out so I don't want to disturb it. I've seen a Bluebird flying around it so I'm thinking that's what's in the nest. I still have no Purple Martins but I think that I may have some House Sparrows in their barn now. I'm waiting to get a confirmation (black bib on a male) before I try out my BB gun if I can catch them outside. Then I'll lower the barn and remove their nest.

[JASpillman]

I spent the afternoon watching a bright blue / orange male Bluebird hanging around the nest box and looking through the entry hole. Whenever the female leaves, the male enters until the female returns then the male struts around like a peacock. All the other birds seemed to be choosing mates today as well, Then near sunset, as the temp began to drop (last night was 32F, tonight's expected to be in the 40's), other birds (I think Bluebirds) were trying to get into that same bird house and were fighting over it. I have another one set up on the other side of the clearing with no birds in it and it faces east which is supposed to be preferable, but how do you explain that to birds?

[JASpillman]

I've given up on having any Purple Martins for this year. I've got House Wrens in the Martin Barn and although it's not what I want, at least they are native birds. I've got Chickadees in one Bluebird house and Bluebirds in the other, but last week I caught a Chicken / Rat Snake that had just swallowed the baby Bluebirds. Two weeks ago, a tornado ripped through the area and blew over 5 towering pine trees onto my Blueberry and Azelea bushes nearby in addition to countless trees pushed over onto each other like dominoes. I'm staying busy cleaning up the mess, trying to maintain my pets and plants, and protecting wildlife from other wildlife and nature itself.

[Jones4381]

I've given up on having any Purple Martins for this year. I've got House Wrens in the Martin Barn and although it's not what I want, at least they are native birds. I've got Chickadees in one Bluebird house and Bluebirds in the other, but last week I caught a Chicken / Rat Snake that had just swallowed the baby Bluebirds. Two weeks ago, a tornado ripped through the area and blew over 5 towering pine trees onto my Blueberry and Azelea bushes nearby in addition to countless trees pushed over onto each other like dominoes. I'm staying busy cleaning up the mess, trying to maintain my pets and plants, and protecting wildlife from other wildlife and nature itself.

Fascinating. There is always balance even when the chaotic distorts it. I'm of the belief once you study and understand the species and all of the surroundings you're observing, you connect with it in a mutually understanding way....that's the journey and you seem to be traveling a good path. Good luck on the way.