Michigan State University masthead graphic

W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

Bird Sanctuary

  • Farm &
    Pasture Dairy
  • Research &
    Education
  • Conference Center &
    Manor House
  • Home
  • About
    • About Home
    • Mission
    • History of the Sanctuary
      • Historical Leadership at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
      • The Changing Sanctuary Landscape
    • Research
    • Staff
    • Employment
  • Visit
    • Visit Home
    • Admission and Hours
    • Directions
    • Visit with a Group
      • Guided Tours
      • Self-guided Field Trips
    • Birds
      • Recent Bird Sightings
      • Birds on Exhibit
      • Know Your Swans
    • Gardens
    • Trails
  • Events & Programs
    • Events Home
    • For Adults
    • For Families
    • For K-12 Students
  • Support
  • News
    • Blogs
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Avian Care / Purple Martins Need YOU!

07.14.21 | Avian Care, Bird Sanctuary, Birds, Conservation, Uncategorized

Purple Martins Need YOU!

When you walk along the shoreline of Wintergreen Lake during the summer, you will hear a bird chirping robotic melodies. You look up as a Purple Martin, the continent’s largest swallow, gracefully swoops up and over the water, looking for insects to catch.

Several purple martins perch and fly near a martin house, against the backdrop of a cloudless, blue sky.
Purple Martins at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. Photo by Penny Briscoe.

The Eastern Purple Martin, Progne subis, relies completely on human-created nesting structures, like gourds, for nesting and raising their offspring. Little is known about the nesting habits of Purple Martins before humans became stewards. It is thought to be that Native Americans would hang dried plant gourds and the Eastern Purple Martin would nest in it. The birds evolved alongside people providing housing and are now completely dependent on that relationship!

At the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, we place the gourds up on the rack the first week of April, coinciding with the arrival of the birds from their wintering habitat. Weekly nest checks are conducted, where we lower the rack of gourds to look inside each one, counting the number of eggs and chicks that have hatched. June gives us eggs and hatchlings, and the beginning of July gives us the first fledglings of each year, where the chicks have grown in their full feathers and jump out of the gourd for their first flight! Extremely agile and acrobatic, swallow species have been known to eat fire ants, grab feathers in mid-air, and catch crickets tossed into the air by humans!

Purple Martin eggs before and after hatching! Photo by Avian Caretaker Sara DePew-Bäby.

As wonderful as these birds are to see, the species has dramatically declined 56% since 1988. The Purple Martin Conservation Association was founded in 1987 to help the species, and is the world leader in research, education and conservation of Purple Martins. They gather data and provide information for stewards looking to help save this species, with the hope of helping to save this little bird. According to Michigan Audubon, the Purple Martin has been declining in Michigan since 1966. Their conservation efforts are to offer outreach and research to increase the awareness of the species and to reverse the population declines across the state.

We can all help Purple Martins and other native species by planting native habitats and reducing pesticide use. With the right habitat, anyone can become a Purple Martin landlord!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sara DePew-Bäby has been the animal caretaker at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary since July 2014. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Environmental Science from Miami University and has over 20 years of experience in animal care and education.

Avian Care, Bird Sanctuary, Birds, Conservation, Uncategorized | birds, Purple Martin

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Jun 01 Storybook Walk: Owl Babies Learn More >
  • Jun 29 Wild Wednesdays: Bald Eagles Learn More >
  • Jul 01 Storybook Walk: Feathers – not for just flying Learn More >
  • view all

Recent Blog Posts

Meet our summer interns!

Read More

Colibríes, los campeones del cielo

Read More

Hummingbirds, the champions of the sky

Read More

A legacy of conservation; a commitment to sustainability.

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
12685 East C Avenue
Augusta, MI 49012
Phone: (269) 671-2510 birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu

Sign up for our monthly newsletter

Get regular updates from KBS about research, events, and more!
*indicates required
Connect with us on social media!
TwitterFacebook
Michigan State University Wordmark
  • Call us: (269) 671-2510
  • Contact Information
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Statement
  • Site Accessibility

Call MSU: (517) 355-1855 | Visit msu.edu | MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. | Notice of Nondiscrimination

SPARTANS WILL | © Michigan State University Board of Trustees