Owl attack
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LauraR
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:53 pm
- Location: Cape Coral, Florida
- Martin Colony History: 6 Cavities offered
12 Room (converted to 6) Trio Pioneer Nature House
2021- many visitors
2022- many visitors
September 28, 2022 - Hurricane Ian destroyed house
replaced house, converted to 6 rooms with SRE doors
2023- 2 pair
2024- 3 pair
2025- 4 pair
2026-
I just saw an owl attack one of the male Purple Martins. I live in Cape Coral Florida where there are a lot of Burrowing Owls. I have never seen this before and I am very upset about it. The owl had the Martin by the wing on my back lawn. I ran out with a broom and scared the owl off. I think the owl dropped the Martin but I am not sure if it survived. I have two nesting pairs. It looks like all the birds left. I don’t see any of them coming back yet. This only happened a few hours ago. Will they come back, especially if there are eggs or babies in the bird house. I hope to see them in the morning. Will the female take care of the babies by herself?
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LauraR
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:53 pm
- Location: Cape Coral, Florida
- Martin Colony History: 6 Cavities offered
12 Room (converted to 6) Trio Pioneer Nature House
2021- many visitors
2022- many visitors
September 28, 2022 - Hurricane Ian destroyed house
replaced house, converted to 6 rooms with SRE doors
2023- 2 pair
2024- 3 pair
2025- 4 pair
2026-
I counted 4 Purple Martins this morning, I researched the burrowing owls and they normally do not bother the martins. The owls come out at night to hunt It was getting dark outside so I didn’t clearly see what kind of bird it caught. So glad they are all back and safe.
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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.
I bet that was a relief!!
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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mjfog
- Posts: 443
- Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Palm City, FL
- Martin Colony History: 2018 will be my first try. 6 S&K B09s. 29 eggs - 8 fledged
2019 - 12 Troyer Horizontals with tunnels, 6 S&K B09s and 12 B011s all with tunnels. 43 eggs - 36 fledged
2020 - Rack 1 - 6 B011s, Rack 2 - 24 B011s, and Rack 3 - 24 Troyer Horizontals. All gourds have tunnels, porches and crescent/Conley 11 entrances; racks have predator guards. 161 eggs - 88 fledged.
2021 - 54 gourds-214 eggs, 184 hatched, 168 fledged.
2022 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 363 eggs, 294 hatched, 278 fledged.
2023 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 321 eggs, 276 hatched, 246 fledged.
2024 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 330 eggs, 283 hatched, 250 fledged.
2025 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 347 eggs, 281 hatched, 266 fledged.
Hi Laura, Don't get too upset. Burrowing owls and martins are just about the same size - a mean martin may out box a slim burrowing owl! Remember all God's creatures gotta eat. Burrowing owls are in a lot more trouble than martins. Florida's expanding population is currently "paving" over the state's wildlife habitat. I'm relieved you just used a broom and not a shotgun - I kinda like burrowing owls and all avian predators as much as I do my martins. Mike, retired Florida Wildlife Biologist.
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Stingray
- Posts: 426
- Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 9:45 pm
- Location: Plantation/Florida
- Martin Colony History: 2005 to present
Great news Laura,LauraR wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2026 6:50 amI counted 4 Purple Martins this morning, I researched the burrowing owls and they normally do not bother the martins. The owls come out at night to hunt It was getting dark outside so I didn’t clearly see what kind of bird it caught. So glad they are all back and safe.
Glad all your martins are safe.
Have a great season!
Plantation, Florida
PMCA member
Plantation, Florida
PMCA member
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LauraR
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:53 pm
- Location: Cape Coral, Florida
- Martin Colony History: 6 Cavities offered
12 Room (converted to 6) Trio Pioneer Nature House
2021- many visitors
2022- many visitors
September 28, 2022 - Hurricane Ian destroyed house
replaced house, converted to 6 rooms with SRE doors
2023- 2 pair
2024- 3 pair
2025- 4 pair
2026-
I always liked the burrowing owls and now that I am watching the bird activity closer, it looks like the owl might have caught a black bird. Since the attack happened under the bird house, I thought it was a Purple Martin, but they are all accounted for. Maybe the black bird was after the Martins and the owl got into the fight. Will a burrowing owl protect Purple Martins? I’ve never seen a burrowing owl catch a bird.