Do Purple Martins Really Eat Mosquitos and Other Facts

It has long been thought that Purple Martins eat lots of mosquitos. There are many myths about martins, lets explore the facts.
Purple Martin Decoy: tinyurl.com/3cf4mh2d
Dawn Song CD: tinyurl.com/dhy2txtz
Mark McKellar is a wildlife biologist with over 35 years of bird study experience. He has a degree in Fish and Wildlife Sciences from North Carolina State University and has worked for the Department of the Army, the Wildlife Departments of North Carolina and Missouri. He ran nature centers for many years in Missouri and Pennsylvania before buying the Backyard Bird Center in the Northland area of Kansas City. Mark has led hundreds of bird hikes both locally and abroad. He has taught classes about birds and other wildlife to groups of all ages and brings that knowledge to the customers of his retail business every day. More information about Mark at backyardbirdcenter.com/about-...
#marksbackyardbirds, #backyardbirds, #nestingbird
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Cover photo of a female Purple Martin on a gourd by Mary Nemecek
Male Purple Martin photo by Mary Nemecek
Martin gourd rack by Mark McKellar
Red Dragonfly by Paul Ruehle
Martin Nest Box, Nest and Fledgling photos by Jim Andrews
Martin Decoy, Dawn Song CD and M Gourd courtesy of Goldcrest Distributing™

[@chrisengledowl6258]

We have a large colony here on our farm in Arkansas, but we never have mosquitoes

[@robertw.7302]

Lots of good information about my favorite backyard bird! Thanks for the video. Purple Martins are very uncommon here in my part of Michigan. The majority of successful colonies in Michigan are located on a lake.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They are awesome birds.

[@JimBecker-bl5il]

I'll send a picture in a little bit

[@CB-os7tl]

I love Purple Martins. If you have bugs around they are the best Birds to have if you are outside. Ours used to come back and it was the Old Guys and you better get that house up and running or you would hear about it. We were along Lake Erie behind a big forest hillside and the Martins loved it. We do not have them here now but I do miss the Martins today.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They are incredibly beneficial birds. The whole swallow group is.

[@heatherprus5364]

As a child I was fascinated with the huge extravagant houses that people built. They were more like apartment buildings. That was in Manitoba. Of the places I've lived in Alberta there haven't been more than one or two of the large buildings. Will Purple Martin's swoop down on people that are walking near their nesting areas? Swallows won't give me a break when I have to walk past them.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It typically. They tend to be very tolerant of people. I think it is because of their many generations of being raised near people. Swallows will dive near you (especially when your mowing) but I’ve never known them to hit anyone.

[@kathysparks6338]

Thank you! Interesting video, thank you for being honest. I hope you have a safe and restful trip. God bless

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you Kathy.

[@ChristinaSwezy-fd9bt]

Great video! I am excited for their arrival this year, I hope to be successful this year attracting purple Martins unlike last year. 🤞

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Good luck!

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

See a bunch of old houses for purple martins but I don’t believe I have ever seen one being used here.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Neglect leads to house sparrows colonies. Ugh

[@nssudha]

Great information! Thank you, Mark!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you.

[@deniseaukerman]

I wish Purple Martins came into my region, but they don't. Fascinating educational video, though. Thank you 😊

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They are not nearly as plentiful out you way and don’t really nest in man made structures. Bummer.

[@deniseaukerman]

I am glad you are on a cruise and were not at the Kansas City superbowl parade.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

So sad.

[@AndrewJames66]

Another great video as always❤

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you!