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A photo of a Purple Martin (Progne subis), male
Purple Martin, Male

Purple Martin

Progne subis

The purple martin (Progne subis) is a passerine bird in the swallow family Hirundinidae. It is the largest swallow in North America. Despite its name, the purple martin is not truly purple. The dark blackish-blue feathers have an iridescent sheen caused by the refraction of incident light giving them a bright blue to navy blue or deep purple appearance. In some light they may even appear green in color. Being migratory, their breeding range extends from central Alberta down through the eastern United States. Subspecies breed in Baja California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Most make a brief stopover in the Yucatán Peninsula or Cuba during pre-breeding migration to North America and during post-breeding migration before reaching their overwintering site in South America. They are known for their speed, agility, and their characteristic mix of rapid flapping and gliding flight pattern. When approaching their nesting site, they will dive from the sky at great speeds with their wings tucked.
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Purple Martins on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Deanna Stewart
Thursday 21 Sep 2023 - 12:26pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Deanna Stewart
Sunday 17 Sep 2023 - 1:19pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Toni Jade
Toni Jade
Thursday 14 Sep 2023 - 9:17pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Deanna Stewart
Tuesday 12 Sep 2023 - 11:50am
United States
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