Purple martins' territory occupies much of the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains, extending north into the southern parts of Canada. These birds are completely dependent upon humans to supply good Purple Martin Birdhouses.  There are purple martins that live in parts of the western U.S. and along the Pacific coasts, but they generally nest in natural cavities, or occasionally in single-unit birdhouses.  For more specific information, check out this page from our friends at the Purple Martin Conservation Association.

How do I attract purple martins?

The short answer is, "With patience". You need a house with at least 6" x 6" nesting compartments (but 8" to 12" deep is ideal) placed in an open location (preferably with a source of water nearby). You need to do regular nest checks (every day is great, 3 times a week is the minimum) to keep starlings and other competing birds out, and to ensure the health of the colony once you have nesting purple martins. For more detailed information, see the Purple Martin Info page on this site, or try some of the relevant links listed on the Friends page.

Do Purple Martins really eat thousands of mosquitos a day?

That is a resounding "NO!"  Purple martins eat thousands of insects every day, but only a very small percentage of those are mosquitos.  Purple martins are active during the day, and catch most of their prey high in the air, putting on quite a show, I might add.  Mosquitos are active at night, and stay relatively close to the ground, often around my arms and legs, apparently.

Do you carry other types of birdhouses?

But of course! We carry many birdhouses for various types of cavity nesting birds such as bluebirds, wrens, nuthatches, titmice, and more. You can also find many feeders for seed eating birds and nectar feeders for hummingbirds.

How long is shipping?

Most items will ship out 24-48 hours after the order is received. During peak times, the shipping times may be longer - that's because several of our birdhouses and feeders are made by hand! If the production time for an item is running long, we will let you know. If you need more information, please drop us a line by email.

Why would I want to sign up as a member?

We will occasionally send newsletters with interesting info about birds and birding.  The newsletters will also contain special offers and discounts that only members get.  In summation, it increases the flow of information to you and decreases the flow of dollars from you.

There is never any obligation, and we will not sell, trade, or rent your email to third parties.

What do I feed purple martins?

Nothing! Purple martins (as well as many other cavity nesting birds) are insectivores, more than capable of feeding themselves. One of the joys of being a purple martin landlord is watching these aerial masters darting through the sky, catching their dinner on the fly.

What do I do with the birdhouses and feeders in the winter, when the birds have flown south?

Take the purple martin birdhouses into the basement or garage, or simply block the holes until the martins return. Leaving the holes blocked until you see purple martins perching on the house is a good routine, as it decreases the risk of competing birds preemptively nesting in it. (See the Purple Martin Info page for more.) Many other birdhouses are suitable for use as winter roosts for those birds that do not migrate. Seed feeders are valuable resources for winter birds, so leave them out. Leave hummingbirds feeders out until freezing weather arrives, and then clean them out and store them until spring.

What kind of seed do I use for my feeder?

Black oil sunflower seed seems to be an effective, inexpensive option for many different types of seed eating birds. White millet will attract juncos and swallows, and peanuts may get the attention of woodpeckers. Some feeders have multiple tubes so you can put out a nice selection. Add a suet feeder with a block of suet and you are ready to go.

How do I return an item?

Send us an email to let us know you are returning the item. Then, return the item in the original packaging within 14 days of its arrival at your shipping address. As soon as we receive the item, we will issue a complete refund of the original payment amount. Please understand that we cannot refund return shipping, nor can we accept unfounded returns. If you have any further questions, email us.

Should I join the Purple Martin Conservation Association?

Making a donation to the PMCA and other organizations like the North American Bluebird Society, the Audubon Society, or the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology helps wild birds a great deal. It is a very easy thing to do to make the world a little better place for the birds and for us.