How to Pick a Purple Martin House

A Purple Martin house can be made of wood, plastic or aluminum. They are available in many styles. What you choose is dependent upon your personal preference, but there are many things you need to look for when purchasing a Purple Martin house. Follow these steps to learn how to pick a Purple Martin house.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look for a Purple Martin house with entrance holes that are between 2 1/8 and 2 1/2 inches in circumference. Anything larger will allow predators to access the house. The holes must be an inch off the floor of the Purple Martin house.

2. Pick a Purple Martin house that is white. This color is more attractive to the birds. Bright colors are a threat to Purple Martins.

3. Check the Purple Martin house for accessibility. You must be able to inspect, monitor and clean the nest without interference.

4. Make sure that the Purple Martin house has drainage holes. If it rains and the house can't drain it will flood, possibly killing the Purple Martins.

5. Measure the interior of the Purple Martin house. It needs to be 6-by-6-by-6 inches or larger to accommodate the birds.

6. See that the Purple Martin house isn't heavy. If it is too heavy it will catch the wind and blow over.

7. Inspect the Purple Martin house to see that it can be lowered to the ground easily and without tipping over. This style usually has a pole that collapses when the house is lowered.

Resources

• Learn more at the Purple Martin Conservation Association