Bonded pair of birds?
-
Damoreja
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2023 1:38 pm
- Location: Chautauqua Lake, New York
- Martin Colony History: 2024 10 Pairs, Fledged 27
2023 4 Pairs, Fledged 15
2022 1 pair in same apt, fledged 6
2021 1st pair, 4 fledged
My first birds of the season showed up last night and both went into the same compartment they (presumably) occupied last season. I wonder whether these birds sometimes stay bonded because this pair seems to stick together like glue. I put the house up for the first time in 2021 and got the male as a sub adult. He found a mate and they nested successfully. He came back last year on May 3rd together with an adult female and stayed, and they nested again and fledged a large clutch. They came in last night at sunset together and went straight in the same compartment and stayed (making me a really happy martin mom). I know there have been others in my area that have had birds back for weeks. Does anyone else notice pairs coming in together like this? Maybe this will change if I get more birds this year. I had a lot of visitors late in the season last year, and occasional over-nighters, but this has been my only nesting pair so far. I also put up a new gourd rack for this year, so I expect more to come, so they probably won't be alone so much this season.
-
Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Hi Damoreja,
Purple martins aren't known as pair bonders; but that is not to say that it isn't unusual or impossible for pairs to meet up from time to time. Regardless, this pair you have at your location seem to be a happy couple.
Purple martins aren't known as pair bonders; but that is not to say that it isn't unusual or impossible for pairs to meet up from time to time. Regardless, this pair you have at your location seem to be a happy couple.
Once I had to restart my colony. An SY pair arrived in the middle of May. When it came time for the female to "feather her nest" she made multiple trips up to a limb on a large pine tree to get bits of bark or something. The next year a bonded pair arrived early and went directly to the same gourd. When it came time for the female to "feather her nest", she made multiple trips to the very same limb of the pine tree. I have never seen another martin do that. Anecdotally, I feel this is evidence that a pair might stay bonded for a year or so.