Red Spots

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
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DeeCee
Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 2:59 pm
Location: Brandon, Manitoba
Martin Colony History: 2019 1 pair 4 fledged
2020 4 pairs 11 fledged
2021 7 pairs 33 fledged
2022 9 pairs 35 fledged
2023 9 pairs 37 fledged
2024 8 pairs 34 fledged

I did a nest check today and found a runt with 2 red spots. Are they peck marks? 5 eggs hatched on June 25. Everything seems normal in the nest.
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Bird Brain
Posts: 332
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Highland Village, TX
Martin Colony History: 2022-visitors, 2023-visitors, 2024-1 pair, fledged 4, 2025-10 pair, fledged 42, 2026-18 pair

Looks like a simple scratch or scrape to me. Maybe another bird stepped on it or clawed it with it's foot. Maybe it rubbed up against the wooden walls of your housing. Looks like something that could heal to me.
Jones4381
Posts: 830
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
Location: Southwestern VA
Martin Colony History: 2020- 0
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 30 pair-122
2025 54 Pair -178

Agree with Birdbrain. All looks good to me and very healthy.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
DeeCee
Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 2:59 pm
Location: Brandon, Manitoba
Martin Colony History: 2019 1 pair 4 fledged
2020 4 pairs 11 fledged
2021 7 pairs 33 fledged
2022 9 pairs 35 fledged
2023 9 pairs 37 fledged
2024 8 pairs 34 fledged

Thank you for the re-assuring replies. :)
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.

All looks healthy and fine from the pic, but it would be a good idea to continue to monitor the nest. If multiple red spots begin to appear it could be a sign of ants. No worries for now, just check in a week and before the nestling reach age 20 days.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
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DeeCee
Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 2:59 pm
Location: Brandon, Manitoba
Martin Colony History: 2019 1 pair 4 fledged
2020 4 pairs 11 fledged
2021 7 pairs 33 fledged
2022 9 pairs 35 fledged
2023 9 pairs 37 fledged
2024 8 pairs 34 fledged

Thank. Will do that Dave.
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