My Martins are eating sand

[Two Gourds]

I put sand in the feeder with my egg shells and the Purple Martins are eating as much sand as they are egg shells. I didn't know they would eat or needed the sand. Has anyone else seen Martins doing this?

[CUL Lou~Mich]

Two Gourds. Yes, all birds need sand for grinding up their food in their gullett. Every year, I see several birds who have been hit on the road by cars. This is why. This is also why many folks now put out either Oyster shells, or egg shells for them. The shells take the place of sand in many instances. Plus, the shells are more nutritional than sand, and their body does take up some of the nutrients out of the shells. CUL Lou

[Two Gourds]

Thanks CUL Lou for your input. My husband always has egg shells for the Martins. We have breakfast on Easter Sunday at our church and this year he collected all of the egg shells.