Purple Martins

The Birds Are Back in Town.

Since 1965, Heisler’s has welcomed Purple Martins to Lewistown Valley. What began with a single house has grown to 14 houses and as many as 100 breeding pairs. That’s a lot of very good neighbors.

Meet the Martins

Big Birds. Big Journey.
Purple Martins are North America’s largest swallows. Watch the sky and you’ll see them swoop, glide and twist through the air, catching flying insects as they go.

The adult males sport glossy, blue-black feathers. Females and younger birds wear softer shades of brown and gray. All of them are impressive in flight.

Thousands of Miles. Right Back Here.

Purple Martins spend winter in South America, primarily Brazil. Each spring, they travel thousands of miles north to breed, with older birds generally arriving before younger ones.

The Heisler’s colony typically returns in April. By mid-August, the birds and their young begin the long trip south again.

Same houses. Same valley. One incredible round trip.

Fourteen Houses. No Vacancy.

In eastern North America, Purple Martins depend almost entirely on housing supplied by people.

Every year, the houses at Heisler’s are lowered, cleaned and prepared for their spring return. Once the Martins move in, the colony fills the valley with activity, aerial acrobatics and plenty of song.

Catch Them While They’re Here.

Visit from spring through midsummer for your best chance to see the colony in action. Look up around the Martin houses and listen for their cheerful calls overhead.

A cone makes excellent birdwatching equipment but bring binoculars too!

Want to learn more about Purple Martins, their migration or hosting a colony of your own? Visit purplemartin.org.