Purple Martins are native songbirds in the swallow family. They are the largest swallows in North America. Despite its name, the purple martin is not truly purple. The dark blackish-blue feathers have an iridescent sheen giving them a bright blue to navy blue or deep purple appearance. In some light, they may even appear green in color. The male Purple Martin is the only North American swallow with a dark belly. This makes identification easier than with many other swallow species.
Purple Martins are aerial insectivores, catching and consuming insects during flight. Studies have shown that Purple Martins eat over 250 billion insects each year. Their diet includes flies, mosquitoes, dragonflies, moths, butterflies, wasps, and other flying insects.
Being migratory, their breeding range extends from central Alberta down through the eastern United States.
Purple Martins nest in groups called colonies and migrate to the Brazil Amazon in the winter and return to the same colony site every year. The migration is long and difficult and can be up to 7,500 miles. They make it back to their breeding grounds in as little as 3 weeks.
They are known for their speed, agility, and their characteristic mix of rapid, flapping, and gliding flight patterns. When approaching their nesting site, they will dive from the sky at great speeds with their wings tucked, just like the peregrine falcon does when hunting smaller birds.
Purple Martin population are declining in many parts of North America. Over 1/3 of their population has been lost in the past 50 years. By providing “housing”, Individuals can support this native species. Once martins take up residence, they will return to the same nesting site year after year.
To solve the puzzle, enter the corrected coordinates into the checker.
Purple Martins winter in the
Brazil Amazon ( N26 19.927 W081 41.062 )
French Riviera ( N26 20.927 W081 41.062 )
Maldives ( N26 19.927 W081 40.062 )