Purple martin

Male and female purple martins perched on a nest box

The purple martin is North America’s largest swallow, and the male is a glossy, deep blue-black that looks almost purple in good light.

Martins nest in colonies, and across much of the continent they rely on nest boxes and gourds put up for them, which is why they are so often seen perched at their houses.

What I enjoy most is the deep blue sheen of a male purple martin, which shifts from black to electric blue as the light moves.

To find out more about the purple martin and the places it lives, visit All About Birds.

Field notes in photographs

  • Male and female purple martins perched on a nest box
  • Male purple martin perched on a white nest box ledge
  • Purple martins on a birdhouse, Manitoba

Purple martin Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the purple martin in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the purple martin nests, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the purple martin in Manitoba through the seasons: nesting in the Boreal Plains and the Prairies (gold). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

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