Help secure the future for purple martins!

purple martins perched on white manmade purple martin houses

Behavioral Shift

Purple martins overwinter in Brazil, but it won't be long until they return to Maine to breed. When they arrive, they'll depend on human-supplied structures to raise their young.

Purple martins are cavity nesters that historically used natural rock crevices or cavities in dead trees created by woodpeckers. Thousands of years ago, humans began providing hollow gourds to attract purple martins. Nobody knows exactly why, but one theory is that having purple martins around may have helped limit damage to crops and other resources by insects and avian scavengers.

Combined with a decline in natural cavities, the long-term provision of martin houses resulted in a nesting behavior shift toward reliance on man-made housing in the entire purple martin population east of the Rockies. With purple martins and other native aerial insectivores facing steep population declines, it's more important than ever to support remaining colonies.

Population Decline

Purple martins used to have nearly statewide distribution but their range has retracted over time. The 2018-2022 Maine Bird Atlas confirmed breeding in only 9 small areas of central and southern Maine.

There are now less than 10 colonies in Maine, comprising only about 150 adults. This concerningly low number represents a dramatic 95% population decline in the last 50 years. The good news is you can help by becoming a purple martin landlord!

Become a Purple Martin Landlord

Young purple martins peering out of a martin house with an adult perched on top

The installation and maintenance of martin housing has been proven to enhance population numbers, but with the majority of people currently managing colonies now over the age of 50, we're looking for the next generation of purple martin landlords to secure the future of this spectacular and beneficial species.

Some martins have already begun their migration and will be arriving in Maine by late April. This month is the perfect time to prepare for their arrival and your new role as a purple martin landlord!

The Purple Martin Conservation Association website is a one-stop-shop for all things purple martin. You'll find tips for attracting martins and choosing housing styles, habitat and timing information, instructions for maintaining a colony, access to all the supplies beginners need to get started, and much more!

Purple Martin Conservation Association

Who Can Help?

Providing martin housing is a relatively easy conservation action that individuals and organizations can take to prevent the extirpation of purple martins in Maine. It's a way to contribute to wildlife conservation in your own backyard, or team up with your school group, scout troop, land trust, or birding club to make a difference!

It is currently unknown how far this species will travel to establish a new colony, but houses set up in or near towns with existing colonies will likely have the most luck attracting purple martins.

Based on data from the 2018-2022 Maine Bird Atlas, those living in or near Corinna, Belgrade, Kennebunk, Thorndike, Unity, Porter, Denmark, Pittsfield, or Frenchboro are in an excellent position to help!

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Help secure the future for purple martins!

Behavioral Shift

Population Decline

Become a Purple Martin Landlord

Who Can Help?

More information