I was asked if Purple Martins mate for life? I told him that I did'nt think they did, but was'nt sure on what they did.. When your regular martins come back every year, do they come back as a pair or do the males just show up and find a new mate. I guess I never really thought about that.
Thank You for any help in advance.... Jim
Mating Rituals
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robndebby
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:25 pm
- Location: VIRGINIA/POWHATAN
- Martin Colony History: Established colony in 1990
Jim, I read somewhere earlier this year that Martins mate for the season, not for life. Now whether they come with a mate or just pair up when they get here, I don't know. Maybe someone else can shed light on this.
ROBNDEBBY
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Jim
There was a long thread on this last spring. Many landlords at established sites observe what appears to be a few older pairs that seem to return already reunited to reclaim a previous cavity. But the professional literature on purple martins all says they mate for a single season. So, about what you said.
I think we need more banding studies.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
There was a long thread on this last spring. Many landlords at established sites observe what appears to be a few older pairs that seem to return already reunited to reclaim a previous cavity. But the professional literature on purple martins all says they mate for a single season. So, about what you said.
I think we need more banding studies.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Hey Randy
I only know what I've read on this topic. Females who nest successfully at a site will return to it, with site fidelity as strong as the males.
Here's a link to an article in the archives about "age specific" return dates:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/Age It notes that older females, three years or more, almost always mate with older males. Thus, I "think" it is likely an older pair reunite, as each would be interested in a particular cavity. But with mortality being fairly high, I bet this occurs only occasionally.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
I only know what I've read on this topic. Females who nest successfully at a site will return to it, with site fidelity as strong as the males.
Here's a link to an article in the archives about "age specific" return dates:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/Age It notes that older females, three years or more, almost always mate with older males. Thus, I "think" it is likely an older pair reunite, as each would be interested in a particular cavity. But with mortality being fairly high, I bet this occurs only occasionally.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo