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Purple Martin

Progne subis ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: HIRUNDINIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Purple Martin Photo

© Kevin T. Karlson

The largest of the North American swallows, the Purple Martin is a popular tenant of backyard birdhouses. In fact, in eastern North America it has nested almost exclusively in nest boxes for more than 100 years.

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Appearance

Swallows
Swallows
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Large swallow; medium-sized songbird.
  • Large head.
  • Thick chest.
  • Broad, pointed wings.
  • Male entirely bluish-black.

Male Description

Entirely glossy blue-black, above and below.

Female Description

Bluish black on back. Chest dingy gray brown. Belly paler dirty gray. Gray collar around back of neck.

Immature Description

Similar to female, but more drab and less bluish on back, underparts dirty white. Wing and tail feathers brown. First winter birds of both sexes resemble adult female. Yearling male has whiter belly and some dark blue feathers scattered on chest.

Range Map Help

Purple Martin Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Distinguished from other swallows by large size and stocky shape. No other swallow has a dark belly.
  • European Starling is similarly shaped in flight, but flight is not so buoyant, and the bill is long and pale.