Purple Martin Houses

Purple Martin houses should be located in an open area where the birds will have clear access from all sides. It is recommended that you position your Purple Martin house 30 feet away from trees and other obstructions so that the Martins have plenty of room to swoop and soar around their house. Some people report that Purple Martins prefer sites where utility wires are nearby for perching. Positioning your Purple Martin house near open water (a lake or pond) may help but it is not essential. Click here to view a range map for Purple Martins.(Adobe PDF). Purple Martins prefer to live in large colonies and are very social birds. Choosing a house with starling resistant entry holes and a "suite" design discourages predators and often results in more fledglings. Be a good landlord and remember to clean out your Purple Martin house at the end of the season by removing the nesting material and scrubing with a mild detergent and water.