# Purple Martin

*Progne subis*

In the eastern United States, Purple Martins are almost entirely dependent on human-provided nesting sites, a tradition that began with Native Americans hanging hollowed gourds.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Hirundinidae › Progne
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** decreasing
- **Biome:** urban
- **Habitat:** Open woodlands, meadows, and residential areas near water.
- **Diet:** Obligate aerial insectivore, consuming dragonflies, flies, beetles, and wasps.
- **Range:** North America, South America, Central America
- **Size:** Length: 20cm; Wingspan: 38-41cm; Weight: 45-60g
- **Lifespan:** 5-7 years
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Competition from invasive House Sparrows and European Starlings, pesticide-driven declines in insect populations, and extreme weather during migration.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless and beneficial insectivores. Maintain a respectful distance from nesting gourds or houses to avoid stressing the colony. If you find an injured bird or a fallen fledgling, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

## About

The purple martin ( Progne subis ) is the largest North American swallow. They are known for their speed and agility in flight, and when approaching their housing, will dive from the sky at great speeds with their wings tucked.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/84c3af50-bcf4-462d-8787-0ffd300774d0
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/11867
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progne subis
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/13564925/medium.jpg (B. Phalan, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.