FAQ: Do Purple Martins Eat Flies?

Purple martins have an insectivorous diet, which means they eat primarily flying insects such as moths, gnats, flies, and mosquitoes.

What insects do purple martins eat?

Insects. Feeds on a wide variety of flying insects, including many wasps and winged ants, and some bees; also many true bugs, flies (including house flies and crane flies), beetles, moths, and butterflies. Dragonflies may be an important part of diet. Also eats some spiders.

How many flies do purple martins eat?

This is a misconception. In fact purple martins eat 2000 insects – everything except mosquitos. They fly around and feed at a height of 160-500 feet and mosquitos don’t roam that high. Occasionally they will eat a few mosquitoes – but not in the thousands.

Do purple martins catch insects in their wings?

Purple Martins are almost completely dependent on flying insects for their food. They capture them while foraging on the wing at altitudes between 150 and 500 feet. Other flying insects, such as bees, wasps, beetles, mayflies and flying ants make up the majority of their diet.

What food attracts purple martins?

Food: Purple martins eat flying insects, so no bird feeders or type of birdseed will attract them. Instead, birders should avoid spraying insecticides or pesticides on lawns, trees, or shrubs, since doing so will eliminate the most important food source these birds require.

Do purple martins control mosquitoes?

A: I’m sorry but the ability of purple martins to control mosquitoes is a myth. According to the American Ornithologists’ Union, a researcher analyzed more than two hundred stomachs of martins collected from February to September throughout the United States and Canada. He reported no mosquitoes in any of the stomachs.

Where do purple martins sleep at night?

-1 studied the behavior of Purple Martins (Progne subis) at nightfall and the birds’ sleeping arrangements, each night, from spring arrival until premigratory flocking began. Martins slept in martin houses until about 15 June, after which they commonly slept in trees.

Do purple martins eat a lot of mosquitoes?

Martins eat beetles, flies, dragonflies, mayflies, bees, stink bugs, cicadas, flying ants, damselflies, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers and wasps. Purple martins do not eat huge quantities of mosquitoes. You can buy martin houses or build your own from a kit or from gourds.

How many mosquitoes will a purple martin eat?

Purple Martins CAN eat 2000 mosquitoes a day.

Are purple martins aggressive towards humans?

Many people believe purple martins will defend their nesting sites against competitor species such as the house sparrow and European starling. However, both species are more aggressive and in most cases will instinctively fight to the death in order to obtain a nesting site.

What is the difference between barn swallows and purple martins?

Adult Barn Swallows have longer and more deeply forked tails than Purple Martins. They also have peachy or creamy underparts, whereas female Purple Martins have dingy underparts.

How long do purple martins stay?

Although individual roosts remain active for six weeks or longer, individual birds may only stay at a roost an average of four weeks. They then begin their long migration back to South America.

When should I put out my purple martin house?

Don’t put your martin house up until four to six weeks after the first purple martins arrive. Once purple martins have used a martin house, they will return to it year after year. All you have to do is clean it out in fall, protect it from starlings and sparrows, and perhaps repaint it white every few years.

Where is the best place to put a purple martin house?

Martin houses should be placed in an open location, at least 40 ft. from trees or buildings. Martins prefer to have clear access to houses from all sides, and like to have perching sites like utility wires nearby, but not attached to the nest box. The height of the housing can be anywhere from 12-20 ft.

What direction should a purple martin house face?

The good news is that purple martins aren’t picky when it comes to direction; north, south, east, and west are all fine, as long as it’s consistent. 6. Wait a few weeks before putting up a new house.