Purple Martin, Progne subis


Purple Martins
Purple Martins nest colonially, often in the manmade martin houses that were originally provided by farmers who appreciated their ability to keep the fly population in check. The two martin house at the Magee Marsh Bird Center gave me my first opportunity to photograph this species, on a May day when rain deterred pursuing warblers on the boardwalk.
  


Purple Martins


Purple Martins
It's hard not to compare life in a martin house to the experience of urban apartment-dwellers.