Purple Martins are beautiful birds that bring joy to Texas backyards with their deep blue plumage and cheerful chirping. These aerial acrobats not only provide entertainment but also help control pesky insects like mosquitoes.
Texans have a special connection with these birds, as our state hosts one of the largest Purple Martin populations during migration season.
1. Start Early With Housing
Timing matters tremendously when setting up martin houses. These birds begin scouting for nesting spots in late January or early February in South Texas, and by March in North Texas.
Installing your housing before they arrive gives you a huge advantage. Veteran martin landlords often put their houses up right after New Year’s Day to ensure prime real estate status when the first scouts appear.
2. Choose The Right Housing Style
Purple Martins in Texas strongly prefer multi-room apartment-style houses or hollow gourds clustered together. The compartments should measure about 6×6×12 inches with 2-inch entrance holes.
White housing works best as it reflects heat – crucial during scorching Texas summers. Gourds, either natural or man-made, have become increasingly popular and often attract martins faster than traditional houses.
3. Proper Pole Placement
Location can make or break your martin attraction efforts. Place your martin housing in the most open area of your yard, at least 40 feet from tall trees.
Martins need open flight paths and prefer houses mounted 12-20 feet high. A telescoping or winch system pole allows easy lowering for maintenance.
Morning sun exposure helps nestlings stay warm, while afternoon shade prevents overheating during Texas heat waves.
4. Create Water Features Nearby
Martins love to swoop down and skim water surfaces! A birdbath, small pond, or fountain within view of their housing creates an irresistible attraction.
These birds need water not just for drinking but also for bathing and collecting mud for nest building. Moving water especially catches their attention during flight.
During summer droughts, your water source might become the neighborhood martin hotspot!
5. Predator Guards Are Non-Negotiable
Nothing drives away martins faster than predator attacks. Raccoons, snakes, and owls pose serious threats to martin colonies in Texas.
Install conical baffles below houses to prevent climbing predators. Owl guards (wire cages) over entrance holes stop larger birds from reaching in to grab nestlings.
The small investment in proper guards often means the difference between a thriving colony and abandoned housing.
6. Use Decoys And Dawnsong
First-time martin landlords face a challenge: martins prefer housing where others already live. Outsmart them with plastic martin decoys mounted on your housing!
Pair this visual trick with audio playback of martin dawnsong (their morning chatter) using a weather-protected speaker. Many Texans report success using this combination during February-April when scouts are actively searching.
7. Maintain Open Surroundings
Purple Martins evolved nesting near bodies of water with wide-open spaces. They remain hardwired to avoid areas where predators might lurk.
Regularly trim branches that grow too close to martin housing. Keep the area within 40 feet of the pole free from tall shrubs, vines, or structures that could serve as launching points for predators.
Martin landlords joke that their birds prefer a “parking lot with a view!”
8. Supplement Natural Food Sources
During late spring cold snaps or rainy periods, flying insects become scarce – potentially starving martin nestlings. Experienced Texas martin landlords keep mealworms on hand for emergency feeding.
Toss mealworms into the air near houses or place them on special elevated feeding platforms. Some landlords even train their martins to come to a specific call when supplemental food is offered.
9. Join The Texas Purple Martin Community
Success comes faster when you connect with experienced martin landlords! Texas has a passionate community of martin enthusiasts who share tips specific to our unique climate challenges.
The Purple Martin Conservation Association offers regional resources, while local Facebook groups connect neighbors who attract these birds. Many veteran landlords willingly mentor newcomers.
Annual events like “Martin Meetups” happen throughout Texas during nesting season.