Birds of Texas

Purple Martin (Progne subis)7.5 - 8.5 inches

(Click picture to enlarge)

© 2001 San Antonio, Texas

Field Marks: Our largest swallow. The male is uniformly blue-black above and below. No other swallow is black-bellied. Female is light bellied; throat and breast are grayish, often a faint collar around neck. Glides in circles, alternating quick flaps and glides; spreads tail more often than other swallows.
Voice: Throaty and rich tchew-wew, etc., or pew, pew. Song, gurgling, running to a succession of low rich gutturals.
Range: South Canada south to northwest Mexico and Gulf States. Winters in Brazil.
Texas: Migrant (Feb-August) through most of state. Breeds locally. 

Enemies of the Purple Martins: If you notice a black bird with a large yellow beak at your Purple Martin Housing you need to take steps to rid this pest from them.  This particular bird is known as a European Starling.  Starlings are a serious threat to martins, and will try to take over nesting cavities by killing adult martins or destroying their nests, eggs, and young.  There have been new entrance holes developed which either prevent or inhibit the European Starlings from entering your housing.  You can find information concerning these type of holes and more information about our Purple Martins at  The Purple Martin Conservation Society.