Purple Martin

Its decline has been due to forestry policies of eliminating standing dead trees (which provide nesting areas). Also, there is competition for nesting sites from two introduced birds, the House Sparrow and the European Starling. Starlings have been especially aggressive. The solution have been “Martin Houses” which are too small for the starlings to enter, allowing the Purple martin to stage a comeback.

Its decline has been due to forestry policies of eliminating standing dead trees (which provide nesting areas). Also, there is competition for nesting sites from two introduced birds, the House Sparrow and the European Starling. Starlings have been especially aggressive. The solution have been “Martin Houses” which are too small for the starlings to enter, allowing the Purple martin to stage a comeback.