Purple Martin

Progne subis

In Missouri, Purple Martins associate with human habitation and appear to be almost totally dependent on nest boxes people provide. As a result, they are found in suburban areas, towns of all sizes and near rural residences. Elaborate martin houses can be found in nearly every town statewide.

Code Frequency

Because martins usually nest near human habitation, they were probably detected if present. Surprisingly, this species was recorded in only 61 percent of all blocks. Forty-five percent of all records were observations of individuals entering or leaving a potential nest site. Because this species nests in artificial structures, 76 percent of all records involved breeding confirmations.

Distribution

This species was distributed statewide, except for several adjacent blocks in the heavily-wooded regions of the Lower Ozark Natural Section. In the northern one-fifth of the state, distribution was more patchy, perhaps because few nest boxes are available in areas with lower human population (Campbell 1991). Atlas Project observations support the findings of Price et al. (1995) who reported lower abundance in the Glaciated Plains.

Abundance

About four times as many Purple Martins were reported in the Ozark and Mississippi Lowlands natural divisions than in the Glaciated Plains and the Osage Plains. The highest relative abundances were associated with the more populated areas that likely have more nest boxes.

Phenology

Martins began to occupy nest sites in early April shortly after the first migrants returned. Most nest-related observations began in early May. An individual carrying a fecal sac was observed on June 11. A nest with young observed on August 9 may represent a second or even a third brood.

Breeding Evidence

Reported in 720 (59.7%) of 1,207 blocks

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