Attracting purple martins

Attracting them to your own yard

Hironbec

All Hironbec houses are easily raised on a pole; a child can do it

Two models

Why not ALUMINIUM?

There are several types of houses on the market. They are made of wood or of ALUMINIUM. ALUMINIUM is an ideal material because it is light, durable and cool inside. Wood requires yearly maintenance and, too often, the compartments are not easily accessible for cleaning and visits.

Raising a purple martin house on a pole is never easy. As a result, enthusiasts often give up on their house and leave it at the top of its pole, and the house sparrows take it over in a single season. The plan to attract purple martins then has to be forgotten.

Those who claim (we do not share this opinion) that purple martins prefer wood are depriving themselves of a house that is practical and easy to maintain. And if you really do prefer wood, you need only add a small sheet of plywood at the bottom of the ALUMINIUM house to serve as a floor.

Because they are light, ALUMINIUM houses are easier to raise on a pole, and this makes it easier to keep an eye on the colony. A child's hand can turn the crank.

Whether you decide to buy a house or to build one, you must always keep in mind the features that every good house should have. By going through the menus on this page, you will get to know the rules to follow.

4 compartments

per house

Each house must have at least four compartments measuring 6 x 6 inches (15 cm x 15 cm). However, the larger the compartment, the more attractive it will be to the birds — but beware, it could well tempt the starlings, which are not averse to great luxury either. They must absolutely be kept out, as must the house sparrows.

A roomy compartment protects the purple martins from possible predators, such as birds of prey. In fact, they build their nest at the back of the compartment while raising a small mound of clay and twigs at the entrance. The mound and the distance to the nest keep long-necked predators from sitting down to dinner.

The compartments must be 6 inches (15 cm) high, and the entrance must be cut 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the floor.

The entrance to the house

Generally speaking, the entrance is round and its diameter may vary between 2 inches (5 cm) and 2 1/2 inches (6 1/4 cm). Before the first purple martins arrive, it is best to block the entrances so that house sparrows and/or starlings do not take over the house. Even tree swallows must be kept away.

To help the purple martins nest and to ensure that the colony grows, you must not tolerate any other species of bird in the house. Nests must be removed as they appear and intruders driven off for good.