The Purple Martin is the largest swallow in North America; adult males are entirely glossy blue-black, while females are gray-bellied. East of the Rockies, it is now almost entirely dependent on human-provided housing — multi-compartment martin houses and gourds — for nesting. Martins drink and bathe on the wing, skimming water bodies at speed.
Best time to see a Purple Martin
The best time to see a Purple Martin is April–June, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 24,601 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Purple Martin? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Purple Martin sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Purple Martin?
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