The Purple Martin is the largest North American swallow, with males clad entirely in iridescent purplish and females adding a grayish breast and belly. This colonial cavity-nester has adapted to take advantage of human-provided martin houses, which it uses almost exclusively in some parts of its range.
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Purple Martin
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Moderate Increase
Confidence: High
Goal
Within Goal Range
The largest of the North American swallows, the Purple Martin is a familiar bird across most of southern Canada. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering in South America. There are approximately 320,000 individuals in Canada, representing 3% of the global population and a low degree of responsibility for Canada. The Canadian population of Purple Martin has shown a moderate increase relative to 1970 based on the Breeding Bird Survey, although there is substantial regional variation in trends, with large increases in the west and large decreases in central and eastern Canada. Confidence in the national assessment is high because geographic coverage and precision in the trend are both high. The national population of Purple Martin is within its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Long-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
320,000
Annual
320,000
Global
9,300,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Aerial Insectivores
Long-Distance Migrants
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Purple Martin. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/ydg8-ft34
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
The Purple Martin is the largest North American swallow, with males clad entirely in iridescent purplish and females adding a grayish breast and belly. This colonial cavity-nester has adapted to take advantage of human-provided martin houses, which it uses almost exclusively in some parts of its range.
Distribution and Occurrence
14050
Loading...
Get Involved
Citizen Science is vital to monitoring birds in Canada. Participating in programs like the ones below helps monitor this species.
Become a Citizen Scientist today!
Follow the link below to learn about more programs that you can participate in to help monitor birds in Canada.
Learn more
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Aerial Insectivores
Long-Distance Migrants
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Purple Martin. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/ydg8-ft34