What is the ideal height for a martin house?

The ideal height is 10 to 14 feet but it can be much higher if desired. And make certain before purchasing a martin house it can be located in an area at least 40 feet from tall objects such as trees or buildings.

Where should a martin birdhouse be placed?

One of the most important steps in attracting Purple Martins is choosing the right location for your martin housing. Martins prefer housing that is placed in open areas with clear flyways. Choose the center of the largest open spot available, about 30-120 feet from human housing and at least 40-60 feet from trees.

How high should a Martin box be off the ground?

The height of an installed purple martin house should be between 12–20 feet. The home should be placed at the upper end of that range if there are trees or bushes nearby, but if the area is very open then shorter homes will be just as suitable.

What direction should purple martin houses face?

To be as hospitable as possible to these winged beauties, install your house with a fixed orientation. The good news is that purple martins aren’t picky when it comes to direction; north, south, east, and west are all fine, as long as it’s consistent. 6.

How far apart should purple martin houses be?

There is no set distance apart the martin housing should be. Fifteen feet apart is enough distance that you can easily maneuver between the two systems, although they can also be farther apart.

How do you attract purple martins to a birdhouse?

In addition to providing appropriate houses for purple martins, supplying proper nesting materials can help encourage them to take up residence. A nearby pile of small twigs, grass clippings, and leaves is perfect, and a muddy area is also useful as these birds use mud as a binder to hold their nests together.

Is it too late to put up a purple martin house?

Don’t put your martin house up until four to six weeks after the first purple martins arrive. Don’t put your martin house up until four to six weeks after the first purple martins arrive. Or if it’s already in place, keep the holes plugged until then, to exclude starlings and sparrows.

Do purple martin houses need to be cleaned?

Don’t put your martin house up until four to six weeks after the first purple martins arrive. Once purple martins have used a martin house, they will return to it year after year. All you have to do is clean it out in fall, protect it from starlings and sparrows, and perhaps repaint it white every few years.

How do you attract purple martins to a new house?

What direction should a birdhouse opening face?

east
What direction should a birdhouse face? A birdhouse and its entrance hole should face away from prevailing winds. In the United States, it’s very common for a birdhouse to face east, which is often faced away from the prevailing wind and the strong afternoon sun.

When should I take down my purple martin house?

Martin housing should be taken down or closed up at active colony sites soon after Purple Martins have ended their daily visits following fledging of the young.

How do you install a purple martin house?

Choose an area 30 feet away from trees and houses. Place the martin house near a field, a body of water or a large yard area. Install a 15- to 30-foot pole to place the martin house on top of. Dig a 1 1/2- to 2-foot deep hole with a post hole digger and place the pole inside.

What is a purple martin house?

Purple Martins use Purple Martin houses to nest and provide protection from other birds that may harm their young. The entry holes in a Purple Martin house are too small for larger bird species to fit through. This makes the Purple Martin house perfect for breeding and raising baby birds.

What is purple martin?

Purple martin. 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.

Purple martin. 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.