Purple martin Progne subis

Identification Tips:

• Length: 7 inches
• Tiny bill
• Largest swallow
• Most often seen flying
• Will nest communally at martin houses in residential and agricultural areas

Adult male:

• Dark purple plumage, usually appears black
• Forked tail
• Immature males similar to female but may be splotched with dark purple

Adult female:

• Dark gray upperparts with some purple coloration
• Whitish underparts with gray breast band and throat with some speckling on sides and belly
• Forked tail
• Immature plumages similar to female

Similar species:

The male Purple Martin is easily told from other swallows by its entirely dark plumage. It is vaguely similar to the starling but has a smaller bill, longer wings and a darker plumage. Female Purple Martins are similar to Bank and Northern Rough-winged Swallows but are larger, and flap more slowly. At close range, the darker upperparts of the martin are evident.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.