The Stokes Purple Martin Book: The Complete Guide to Attracting and Housing Purple Martins (Stokes Backyard Nature Books)

As a Purple Martin landlord myself, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Purple Martins or Purple Martin landlording.It is very informative and contains many beautiful color photgraphs of Purple Martins. Most helpful to those newly interested in Purple Martins are the sets of up close photos of the adult male Purple Martin, the adult female Purple Martin, the subadult male Purple Martin, and the subadult female Purple Martin. These photos show the difference in their plumage and help you learn to distinguish one from the other.There is also a set of photos depicting hatchlings as they grow from the day of hatching until 24 days old which includes: hatching day, 4 days old, 6 days old, 8 days old, 10 days old, 12 days old, 14 days old, 17 days old, 20 days old, 22 days old, and 24 days old. Nestlings begin to fledge at around 28 days old.Here are some of the many topics covered in the book:*Purple Martin Basics: Identification, feeding and nesting habits, breeding, habitat, vocalizations, and how to successfully attract Purple Martins*Choosing Housing*Migration; maps, when and where*Nest Building*Purple Martin "Language"*Courting and Mating*Egg Laying and Incubation*Nestling Phase*Leaving the Nest*What happens after Breeding; communal roosting; fall migration; wintering activities; molting*Monitoring your Purple Martins; nest checks; supplemental feeding; season's end cleaning*Dealing with Competitors: House Sparrows, European Starlings, House Wrens, House Finches, Tree Swallows, Bluebirds*Dealing with Predators: Raccoons, Owls, Snakes, Hawks and Falcons, Crows and Gulls, Roadrunners, Nest robbers (Blue Jays, Grackles, Starlings, House Wrens, House Sparrows, etc.), House Cats, Squirrels and Opossums*Controlling Parasites; nest replacements*Adverse Weather; supplemental feeding*Western versus Eastern Purple Martins*The History of Purple Martin Colonies*Purple Martin Resources; physical and web addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, books, roost locations*Sample Nest Record Chart that can be photo copied and usedIf you are interested in Purple Martins, I also suggest you visit the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA) website (purplemartin.org). The PMCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Purple Martin.

Twenty years ago the air above the narrow street outside our little row house in Costa Rica used to teem with swallows dashing about in the later afternoon coolness. I loved to watch their antics, finding in their effortless twists and turns a vicarious agility.When we moved house and the swallows were no longer part of our end-of-day joys, I knew that I must someday remedy this situation by having a Purple Martin house that would persuade the similar martins to take us into their company.It's March, 2007 in Indianapolis and a late snow lies on the ground. The Martins will be here within weeks if prognostications are accurate. From the comfort of my easy chair and a laptop bookmarked to several vendors of Purple Martin houses, I've read through the excellent Stokes Guide.These people have a rare gift for understanding the bird in question but also for speaking to the level of the interested, reasonably intelligent novice, a reader who knows very little of the topic but is capable of getting up to speed with just a little help.That assistance comes in the form of inviting prose and beautiful photos, all presented in an affordable format.I know a whole lot more about Purple Martins than I did just an hour ago and am just about to order that house and telescoping pole. Heck, this frozen ground can't last forever and those newbie Martins will be looking for a place to call home.We'll leave the light on.

I was disappointed to find that the copyright date is 25 years ago. While I have been able to glean some basic info, much of it is outdated. I did find a more recent publication that was written in updated in 2012 (at least it was this century). The author is James (Jim) Ray. The publication titled “The Purple Martin and it’s Management in Texas” and it is from Texas Parks and Wildlife. I highly recommend it. tpwd.state.tx.us

Very helpful for a beginner. Definitely gave me a leg up as a first time Martin landlord

I thought that there would be at least basic plans in the book. Still trying to find the point where how high off the ground the houses need to be. It has any other info that you can think of except for actual plans.

I just discovered these marvelous birds when I purchased a house that had a martin house set up on it. Since last month, a few martins have shown up flying around the martin house, but never settling in. The first time they arrived, bluebirds were living in it and had chased them away. The second time-nothing. We lowered the house and cleaned it out, but still no martins.I did some searching on the net, but I prefer purchasing books to refer to. This is a great book about Purple Martis with lots of colorful photos. It arrived promptly and I had no issues with purchase or delivery. If you want to learn about these acrobatic birds, this is a wonderful book to do so. I look forward to learning how to become a successful and responsible Purple Martin landlord.

Very nice book and worth it

This book is worth every penny. It is full color on glossy paper. Beautifully illustrated and everything you need to know about purple martins. I highly recommend this book.

Nice little book but not filled with any amazing information that one can’t google on the internet. I was a bit let down.

Good information on the purple martin. Have not finished the book yet but what I have read so far is very good.

Good information and pictures. My husband is very happy with this book and is looking forward to reading is at his leasure..

Gift

My mom loved it