The Purple Martin Gourd: A Relationship Between Man and Bird

Somewhere in history, man discovered the Purple Martin, an in-flight eating swallow, a bird graceful on the wing that devours insects throughout the day. Many people have claimed that the benefit of swallows is the consumption of mosquitoes, but according to the Purple Martin Organization, this simply is not true.

Perhaps since native Americans as far back as 2000 years ago and more were agriculturalists, maybe they discovered a benefit in having them around. Whatever happened, it was discovered by man that a large gourd with a hole in it could entice the Purple Martins to nest in it. thus was born, the Purple Martin Gourd.

So Native Americans like the Creek Indian tribe and others grew gourds for bowl and other purposes, and among the many uses of their gourds, named the Purple Martin Gourd was to make nesting homes for the Purple Martin birds. Colonies of Purple martins can greatly reduce the insect population in and area, and their flight is one of unmatched combination of aerobatics and grace. If you have never had the opportunity to watch the Purple Martins in flight, especially near dusk as they rapidly seek a final feeding then returning to their homes, it is something you should see if you can ever find a Purple Martin Colony home.

Today, Purple Martins will only nest in homes provided by people east of the rockies. They will not nest in trees, and their homes must be tended and prepared for them by the people who own them. Improper care of the home or failure to clean them out can cause an individual to lose and entire colony, and starting a new colony is difficult. once a colony has started though, if proper steps are taken, the Purple martins will return to the same nesting grounds year after year.

Although many gourds are large enough to house a Purple Martin, and the birds will accept different shaped houses, the Creek Indians for hundreds of years used the same gourd which they selectively bred with a somewhat flat bottom for use as bowls, they also made storage containers for grain and Purple Martin Birdhouses out of them, and these gourds have become known as The Purple Martin Gourd.