What size should a purple martin house be?
6″ x 6″ x 12″
Each purple martin compartment should be at least 6″ x 6″ x 12″. Some martin houses are sold that are only 6″ x 6″ x 6″. Research shows that this is too small for purple martins to lay a full clutch of eggs (up to 7) and raise the young.
How big does a martin house need to be?
10-15 feet
The height of the martin house or gourd rack should be in the range of 10-15 feet with 12 – 14 about average. Don’t attach wires to the house or pole. Predators can use them to get to the birds.
Where do you hang a purple martin birdhouse?
One of the most important steps in attracting Purple Martins is choosing the right location for your martin housing. Martins prefer housing that is placed in open areas with clear flyways. Choose the center of the largest open spot available, about 30-120 feet from human housing and at least 40-60 feet from trees.
What direction do you face a purple martin house?
The good news is that purple martins aren’t picky when it comes to direction; north, south, east, and west are all fine, as long as it’s consistent. 6.
How high does a purple martin house have to be off the ground?
The ideal height is 10 to 14 feet but it can be much higher if desired. And make certain before purchasing a martin house it can be located in an area at least 40 feet from tall objects such as trees or buildings.
How do I attract purple martins to my Martin house?
In addition to providing appropriate houses for purple martins, supplying proper nesting materials can help encourage them to take up residence. A nearby pile of small twigs, grass clippings, and leaves is perfect, and a muddy area is also useful as these birds use mud as a binder to hold their nests together.
How do you encourage purple martins?
Having a secluded source of this gravel nearby can help attract the birds. They will also eat finely crushed eggshells as a calcium supplement during the nesting season. Providing eggshells (dried and briefly toasted to be sterile and brittle) can encourage nesting purple martins to linger nearby.
How do you attract purple martins to a birdhouse?
How do you attract purple martins to a new house?
Do purple martins eat wasps?
A: According to experts, purple martins eat only flying insects, and they take them only on the wing, not off the ground. Martins eat beetles, flies, dragonflies, mayflies, bees, stink bugs, cicadas, flying ants, damselflies, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers and wasps.
How many houses can you build with a purple martin?
Using this plan, you can build apartment-style houses for Purple Martins and expand the design from 8 apartments to 16, 24 or even 32 homes even after it is built. These directions include purple martin house plans you can download.
How tall should a gourd purple martin house be?
Interior Height: The internal height of the house should range from 5-7 inches to provide enough space and ventilation for all the birds. If using gourd purple martin houses, the interior height should be 8 inches to accommodate the unusual shape and upper tapering of the house.
Where does a purple martin like to live?
At the same time, purple martins are accustomed to living near humans, and the most frequently occupied houses will be within 120 feet of human habitation. Placing the house near a permanent water source such as a pond, lake, or stream is also effective in encouraging purple martins to take up residence.
Where to place a purple martin bird house?
Even the most well-designed birdhouse will be unsuitable for purple martins if it is not placed properly. These birds need large, open areas to feed, and any purple martin birdhouse or cluster of houses should be placed in the center of an open area at least 30 feet away from any other trees or structures.