Very unusual. Adult Female Martin has lost her voice

[Martintown33]

Hello,
I’ve got a very unusual situation I’ve never seen before. My colony is 21 years old in se Louisiana. 1 of my adult females this year, has lost her ability to do Martin chirps. She was fine until about 10 days ago, when I first noticed this issue. From experience, I know what all their different chirps mean. She tries to chirp, but all she can do is a tiny squeak. She doesn’t even sound like a Martin anymore. Other than this, she seems perfectly healthy. Feeding her babies all day long with her male partner. The babies are fine and nearing fledgling date. Has anybody ever run across this very unusual situation, or have any ideas concerning it.
Thanks

[C.C.Martins]

Hi,
Two years ago we had a subbie male who could only croak, lord knows how he attracted a mate but he did. I called him croaky voice guy, very distinct. He lost his mate just before his 4 chicks were to fledge, they were starving...end of summer and late nest. Id feed them crickets once a day, and he didn't like it one bit. All pulled through.
Anyway, he came back last year as an ASY same croaky voice...dang hawk got him.

She should be fine, watch for her, sounds like your new favorite!

[brent]

It amazes me to hear these observations from landlords like the both of you. I'm out there all the time and I do notice some specific things but your observations are remarkable. I guess as time goes on I'll be able to tune in more specifically. Croaky...Squeaky. I like that.
Brent

[randyM]

Last year I had a SY female at my colony that made martin like calls, but the sounds she made were more of a nasal pitch like a white-breasted nuthatch, but very raspy (hard to describe, but very distinct). She and her SY male mate hatched 4 eggs and fledged all 4 young. She's back again this year with the same distinct raspy voice, nesting in the same house, but in a different compartment. She claimed an ASY male this year and has 6 eggs and I expect similar success as last year.

Best of luck with your colony.

[Martintown33]

Thanks for the reply Tom and others. I’m hoping ms. Squeaky will be back next year. Her babies should be flying in a few days. Sorry to hear that your sub male got taken by a hawk. That’s rough. I’ve been lucky enough to not lose part of a pair during chick feeding month. I was curious. How did you feed the chicks crickets? Did you have to hold them individually or did they take them out of your fingers? I’m sure the dad wasn’t happy about it! I’m out with my colony daily, but they still don’t like nest check time when they have babies inside!

[C.C.Martins]

Oh yes, hand fed with crickets dipped in pedialyte. I took two out at a time. They eat a surprising amount. Takes a bit, have to gently pry open their beak with a fingernail and stuff a cricket in. Then sit, and wait until they swallow. Once they catch on they gobble them up. Did that for a week. Thats why he hated me so much. When I showed up, he complained to high heaven.
Poor things, keel bone was very pronounced.

Some folks have painted a chicks toenail tips with nail polish to differentiate between problem chicks.

[Martintown33]

Thanks for the info Tom. Glad they all pulled through. I know what you mean about the male being upset. My martins don’t like me checking their nests when chicks are inside. No matter how much time I spend out with the colony and how familiar they are with me, they still get upset with me during nest checks. I read how landlords say their birds get used to it. My colony is 21 years, and they have never liked nest check time. Just being good protective parents, I guess!
Good luck with your colony this year,
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Hahaha! Isn't it funny how they turn on you Rob?? We have the same thing here, iv got a gourd rack in the front yard...before chicks arrive i can come and go, change hummingbird feeders generally mill around no issues. Once those chicks arrive im a threat, not to be trusted under any circumstances. Yet once a week they will get the same treatment.

I still feel bad for that martin loss, when he came back he was a beautiful purple. Lost 4 that year. Neighbor found the piles in his yard, seemed the hawk would nab them and eat 30 feet from the gourds.

21 years is a good long time to host martins!!

[Martintown33]

Agree. It’s hard to lose martins. I Had an owl take an ASY male right in front of me. Owl Landed on the house and just grabbed the male in his talons. I grabbed some nearby rocks and threw them at the owl hoping he would drop the male, but he flew off with him still alive. That was 15 years ago, but still remember it like it was yesterday. Hosting martins brings enjoyment but also hard times too.
Best of luck this season,
Rob

[Martintown33]

Hey Tom. I see you use venting. I drill holes in specific spots where rain can’t enter to help with ventilation. I was wondering what methods you use.
Thanks,
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Hey sir,
I use the 1 inch 90 degree PVC elbow vents just above where the neck of the gourd starts. you can drill a hole in the gourd, some elbows have screws on the outside of the PVC, you can screw those in once the hole is big enough...very tight seal. If you just slip the elbow in make sure they point down oveously; you can apply calk to seal.
The natural gourds are vented. I have an older heath I refurbished, put some vents on the interior wall of the nest compartment as well and placed screens over that. I even vented some gourd caps although that is not necessary...even at 100 degrees with 111 heat index the wind is always blowing. Chicks body temp is 103 degrees, they are more succeptable to cold.
Tom

[Martintown33]

Thanks Tom. Where do you purchase the 90 degree elbow vents? Or are you just using regular pvc elbow fittings?
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

regular fittings, got them at lowes. No sweat. Its a must for martins.

[Martintown33]

Great idea Tom. I’m always looking for ways to ventilate. Gets steamy down here in se Louisiana. Thanks,
Rob

[Rick H]

Hi Tom,
This is about venting and wet nests. Canada is normally cool, but last summer here on the north shore of Lake Erie (roughly 50 miles north of Erie PA) it got hot, humid and really wet in mid-June/early July. I swapped out nesting material for pine straw, but was probably a week late doing it. I probably lost about 19% of the nestlings (42/225) over a two week period. Some nests I changed twice. Some nestlings were close to fledging so it was quite disheartening. Nestling losses were mainly in plastic horizontal gourds with Troyer tunnels and Conley II excluder plates. I have 3 wooden houses (2 North Stars and a T-14 all equipped with Troyer tunnels and Conley II excluder plates) and they were barely affected. I have 28 gourds, and 24 of them are brand new. I will vent the gourd caps with 90 degree PVC elbow vents and use the gourd leakstopper sleeves available from PMCA. Any thoughts on my plan to avoid a repeat of mortalities?
Rick Holley

[C.C.Martins]

Hi Rick,
Sorry for your losses, each one is tough but it happens. All we can do is try, mother nature takes it from there.
Well, I do vent the caps...114 degrees and no wind in summer so I do it just to be sure. Not really necessary but its just in case.
You should be fine with them. They are blocked for the most part, only when it gets real hot do I open them. Chicks are more susceptible to cold vs heat but a wet nest is a killer.
However, a better option (just don't know if you have, suspect you did, but worth saying) is have you vented the gourds themselves?

Good call on those nest changes but sounds like humidity got them wet, a vent up near the neck of the gourd is necessary.

Good call also on use of pine needles. They shed water better. Also good call on those stoppers, I use copper tubes in the neck and seal it with adhesive caulk.
All the best, hope this helps,
Tom