Purple Martins are beautiful birds that love to nest in North Carolina backyards during spring and summer. These friendly aerial acrobats not only eat thousands of flying insects but also delight us with their cheerful chirps and social behavior.
Creating a welcoming space for Purple Martins can bring years of joy and natural pest control to your outdoor living area.
1. Install The Right Housing
Purple Martins east of the Rocky Mountains now nest almost exclusively in human-provided housing. In North Carolina, these birds prefer apartment-style houses or special gourds mounted on tall poles.
The housing should be painted white to reflect heat and placed at least 15 feet high. Make sure entrance holes are exactly 2 1/8 inches in diameter – this keeps starlings out while letting martins in.
2. Perfect Your Timing
Knowing when to put up martin housing makes all the difference! Adult Purple Martins typically return to North Carolina between late February and mid-March, with younger birds arriving about 4-6 weeks later.
Set up clean housing just before the first scouts arrive. Having your houses ready at the right time increases your chances of attracting a colony. Remember to close entrance holes until you spot the first martins to prevent unwanted birds from settling in.
3. Choose An Open Location
Location matters tremendously to these aerial insect-eaters! Purple Martins need plenty of flying space around their homes. Place housing in the most open area of your yard, at least 40 feet from tall trees.
Martins prefer sites with clear flight paths and good visibility in all directions. This open space allows them to swoop and dive for insects while staying safe from predators that might hide in nearby trees or buildings.
4. Create A Water Source Nearby
Purple Martins love to drink and bathe on the wing! They’ll swoop down to skim water from ponds, lakes, or birdbaths. In North Carolina, having water within 100–200 yards of your martin housing significantly increases your attraction success.
A simple birdbath on a pedestal works well, but shallow ponds or decorative water features are even better. Keep water sources clean and fresh to encourage these beautiful birds to visit your North Carolina yard regularly.
5. Use The Decoy Method
First-time landlords often struggle to attract martins because these birds prefer to nest where others already live. Fool them with plastic decoys! Mount artificial Purple Martins on your housing or nearby perches.
Playing recorded Purple Martin dawnsong (their morning calls) through a small outdoor speaker can also work wonders. The combination of visual decoys and familiar sounds creates the illusion of an established colony that new birds will want to join.
6. Manage Unwanted Guests
European Starlings and House Sparrows frequently try to take over martin housing in North Carolina. These invasive species will drive away Purple Martins and destroy their eggs. Regular monitoring is crucial for success!
Remove nesting materials from unwanted birds promptly. Consider installing special entrance holes or crescent-shaped openings that allow martins in but keep starlings out. Some North Carolina landlords even use monofilament fishing line hanging from house entrances to deter sparrows.
7. Provide Nesting Materials
Give your feathered tenants a helping hand with nesting supplies! Place small piles of clean, dried pine needles, small twigs, and dried leaves near your martin housing.
For an extra special touch, offer small squares of aluminum foil or reflective Mylar strips. Purple Martins love incorporating shiny objects into their nests – nobody knows exactly why, but some believe it may help repel parasites or attract mates with these flashy decorations.
8. Practice Regular Maintenance
Successful Purple Martin landlords in North Carolina know that yearly maintenance is essential. After the martins migrate south in late summer, lower your housing and clean out old nests, removing parasites and debris.
Repair any damage, touch up white paint, and store houses indoors during winter if possible. Before reinstalling in spring, apply a thin layer of cooking spray inside entrance holes to prevent wasps from building nests. With this care, your North Carolina martins will reward your dedication by returning year after year!