Sub Adult Female Question

[kim w.]

What are the chances of starting a colony with a SA-F? Had one here for two days now.

[Mhoover]

The chances having a nesting pair are very good if you have a SY-F committed to your site. She will be able to attract either a SY-M or an ASY-M since it appears that there are always more males than females among the martins.

[kim w.]

Thanks for your input Mhoover. She had company around 7:30 and again at 10:30. One landed and the other did not. To brief to tell the gender. She didn't venture far off all morning and in and out of two different cavities several times. This afternoon only seen her once. Hopefully just out feeding.

[kim w.]

Update Thursday. She is still here but I have not seen that she has brought any boys home since Tuesday. Not sure if she is even spending the night here. Its almost like she is waiting for the boys to find her. I"m afraid she will give up and move on. Don't know what she has in mind.

[Mhoover]

It is normally the guys that are out searching for the gals. She probably has no idea on attracting a mate other than letting them know that she is there. Staying at your location is a good indication that she wants to nest there and there is still enough time for her to find a guy. Waiting for things to happen and not knowing how to help is frustrating. Just hang in there and let her know that she is welcome to nest at your site.

[taxidermy lady]

Can you get a picture of your birdie? I have a SY male and he can't seem to keep a partner! He even had one spend the night with him and she split! You may have a male! One of mine is only dark around the neck! I have a spotting scope or I would have thought he was a female! Sure could be though, their funny! Good luck!

[kim w.]

taxidermy lady. I wish I could but I don't have a good camera. I"m sure its a SYF as she has a nice speckled breast and white feathers under the tail.