Purple Martins Are Native Songbirds of the Swallow Family. the Scientific

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Purple Martins Are Native Songbirds of the Swallow Family. the Scientific

Purple Martins are native songbirds of the swallow family. Throughout history, many cultures have cherished the swallow. Among Romans, the bird was linked with Aphrodite, the beautiful goddess of love. The ancient Greeks held a festival to honor the swallows arrival in the springtime. Sailors saw them as good luck. Native Americans hollowed out and hung gourds to attract Purple Martin colonies. The scientific name for the Purple Martin is Progne Subis. It is said that Progne is taken from the Greek name Prokne, daughter of an Athens king. Legend states that Prokne was transformed into a swallow, the very family that the Purple Martin belongs to. The species name, Subis was given to the bird by Roman naturalist Plinly. It is Latin for “Bird That Breaks Eagle’s Eggs”. Since martins have a liking for eggshells, this may be where the bird got its name. In the Chinese culture the swallow is a messenger of spring and happiness. It is seen as a symbol of good fortune. The Chinese symbol for swallow features the image of a bird with an open mouth, outspread wings and forked tail. The Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of Purple Martins through scientific research and public education. With a team of people that includes biologists, educators, public members and bird enthusiasts the PMCA works to carry on the thousand year old traditional of caring for Purple Martins and enjoying the birds’ presence in their lives. You too can become involved with the conservation of Purple Martins in a variety of ways: Learn to identify the Purple Martin Visit a colony in your neighborhood Join the PMCA Become a Purple Martin landlord Participate in research projects Volunteer with the PMCA Attend events and workshops Contact us today and together we will make a difference! Purple Martin Conservation Association Tom Ridge Environmental Center 301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 6 Erie, Pennsylvania 16505 Phone: 814.833.7656 www.purplemartin.org Fax: 814.833.2451 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Aves: Hirundinidae)
1 2 Received Date : 19-Jun-2016 3 Revised Date : 14-Oct-2016 4 Accepted Date : 19-Oct-2016 5 Article type : Original Research 6 7 8 Convergent evolution in social swallows (Aves: Hirundinidae) 9 Running Title: Social swallows are morphologically convergent 10 Authors: Allison E. Johnson1*, Jonathan S. Mitchell2, Mary Bomberger Brown3 11 Affiliations: 12 1Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago 13 2Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan 14 3 School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska 15 Contact: 16 Allison E. Johnson*, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, 17 Chicago, IL 60637, phone: 773-702-3070, email: [email protected] 18 Jonathan S. Mitchell, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 19 Ruthven Museums Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, email: [email protected] 20 Mary Bomberger Brown, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Hardin Hall, 3310 21 Holdrege Street, Lincoln, NE 68583, phone: 402-472-8878, email: [email protected] 22 23 *Corresponding author. 24 Data archiving: Social and morphological data and R code utilized for data analysis have been 25 submitted as supplementary material associated with this manuscript. 26 27 Abstract: BehavioralAuthor Manuscript shifts can initiate morphological evolution by pushing lineages into new adaptive 28 zones. This has primarily been examined in ecological behaviors, such as foraging, but social behaviors 29 may also alter morphology. Swallows and martins (Hirundinidae) are aerial insectivores that exhibit a This is the author manuscript accepted for publication and has undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record.
[Show full text]
The Evolution of Nest Construction in Swallows (Hirundinidae) Is Associated with the Decrease of Clutch Size
© Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Linzer biol. Beitr. 38/1 711-716 21.7.2006 The evolution of nest construction in swallows (Hirundinidae) is associated with the decrease of clutch size P. HENEBERG A b s t r a c t : Variability of the nest construction in swallows (Hirundinidae) is more diverse than in other families of oscine birds. I compared the nest-building behaviour with pooled data of clutch size and overall hatching success for 20 species of swallows. The clutch size was significantly higher in temperate cavity-adopting swallow species than in species using other nesting modes including species breeding in evolutionarily advanced mud nests (P<0.05) except of the burrow-excavating Bank Swallow. Decrease of the clutch size during the evolution of nest construction is not compensated by the increase of the overall hatching success. K e y w o r d s : Hirundinidae, nest construction, clutch size, evolution Birds use distinct methods to avoid nest-predation: active nest defence, nest camouflage and concealment or sheltered nesting. While large and powerful species prefer active nest-defence, swallows and martins usually prefer construction of sheltered nests (LLOYD 2004). The nests of swallows vary from natural cavities in trees and rocks, to self-exca- vated burrows to mud retorts and cups attached to vertical faces. Much attention has been devoted to the importance of controlling for phylogeny in com- parative tests (HARVEY & PAGEL 1991), including molecular phylogenetic studies of swallows (WINKLER & SHELDON 1993). Interactions between the nest-construction va- riability and the clutch size, however, had been ignored.
[Show full text]
Head-Scratching Method in Swallows Depends on Behavioral Context
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 679 shoulder-spot display during their observations of behavior in partridges. In all cases that I observed, the shoulder spot appeared to be a fear or flight intention display as described by Lumsden (1970). However, the display seemed secondary in importance compared to vocalizations and “tail flicking” during periods of extreme alarm. Examination of the shoul- der spot of a partridge confirmed the realignment of white underwing coverts to the top of the wing in the patagial region. The manipulation by the bird of underwing feathers appeared to be identical to that of Ruffed Grouse (Bonusa umbellus)(Garbutt 198 1). Since “display” implies actual communication between individuals further investigation is needed to de- termine if, in fact, the shoulder spot actually is serving a communication function in Gray Partridge. The shoulder spot in Gray Partridges and the display seen in grouse are morphologically similar. Lumsden (1970) concluded that the widespread occurrence of this display among grouse indicated it appeared relatively early in evolution. The morphological and behavioral similarities between the display in grouse and partridges suggest that the shoulder spot may have evolved even earlier. Since this is an escape behavior, and since many species of partridges and pheasants are difficult to observe in the wild, it may have been overlooked. Acknowledgments.-Theseobservations were made while the author was supported by funds from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department through Pittman-Robertson Project W-67-R. Additional support was provided by the Biology Department and Institute for Ecological Studies at the University of North Dakota. Helpful editorial comments were provided by R.
[Show full text]
Purple Martin Project Our Vision
New York PurPle Martin Purple Martin P r o j e c t Project New York PHOTO JIM WILLIAMS Female and male parents share in building the nest to raise their young Adult female on the left shown with two of its young IN NEW YORK STATE, PURPLE MARTINS Check out these websites HAVE DECLINED BY 39% since 1985. for more information on purple martins: Help Reverse the Trend! www.friendsofiroquoisnwr.org/ The National Audubon Society suggests the purplemartins/media.html following ways that you can help to conserve newyorkwild.org/martin/martin_video.htm Purple Martins: purplemartin.org ■ Purchase or construct and install appropriate birds.audubon.org/species/purmar martin housing, including predator proofing. Project Partners Housing standards can be found at New York State Ornithological Association www.purplemartin.org Buffalo Audubon Society ■ Protect martin colonies from European Buffalo Ornithological Society Starlings and House Sparrows by trapping or Purple Martin Conservation Association otherwise removing these non-native nest Friends of Iroquois NWR site competitors. New York State Bluebird Society ■ Plant native trees, shrubs, flowers and Orleans Bluebird Society grasses which attract more insects than non- If you have questions about caring for a natives. In fact, they support almost 30 times Purple Martin colony, please contact: more insect diversity than introduced plants. FINWR c/o Carl Zenger ■ Avoid applying pesticides that kill or poison 1101 Casey Road flying insects that martins eat. Basom, NY 14013 Carl Zenger: [email protected] 716-434-7568 ■ Create a dragonfly pond to attract and breed these and other insects preferred by martins. Celeste Morien : [email protected] 585-721-8202 ■ Maintain a pile of small gravel or sand in an Pat Lynch: [email protected] open area for grit.
[Show full text]
Colorado Field Ornithologists the Colorado Field Ornithologists' Quarterly
Journal of the Colorado Field Ornithologists The Colorado Field Ornithologists' Quarterly VOL. 36, NO. 1 Journal of the Colorado Field Ornithologists January 2002 Vol. 36, No. 1 Journal of the Colorado Field Ornithologists January 2002 TABLE OF C ONTENTS A LETTER FROM THE E DITOR..............................................................................................2 2002 CONVENTION IN DURANGO WITH KENN KAUFMANN...................................................3 CFO BOARD MEETING MINUTES: 1 DECEMBER 2001........................................................4 TREE-NESTING HABITAT OF PURPLE MARTINS IN COLORADO.................................................6 Richard T. Reynolds, David P. Kane, and Deborah M. Finch OLIN SEWALL PETTINGILL, JR.: AN APPRECIATION...........................................................14 Paul Baicich MAMMALS IN GREAT HORNED OWL PELLETS FROM BOULDER COUNTY, COLORADO............16 Rebecca E. Marvil and Alexander Cruz UPCOMING CFO FIELD TRIPS.........................................................................................23 THE SHRIKES OF DEARING ROAD, EL PASO COUNTY, COLORADO 1993-2001....................24 Susan H. Craig RING-BILLED GULLS FEEDING ON RUSSIAN-OLIVE FRUIT...................................................32 Nicholas Komar NEWS FROM THE C OLORADO BIRD R ECORDS COMMITTEE (JANUARY 2002).........................35 Tony Leukering NEWS FROM THE FIELD: THE SUMMER 2001 REPORT (JUNE - JULY)...................................36 Christopher L. Wood and Lawrence S. Semo COLORADO F IELD O
[Show full text]
T/Iieuicanauseum
>t/iieuicanAuseum PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CENTRAL PARK WEST AT 79TH STREET, NEW YORK 24, N.Y. NUMBER 1723 APRIL 29, 1955 Studies of Peruvian Birds. No. 66 The Swallows (Hirundinidae) BY JOHN T. ZIMMER I am again indebted to Dr. William H. Phelps of Caracas, Mr. James Bond and Mr. Rodolphe de Schauensee of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Mr. James Greenway of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, and to Dr. Allan R. Phillips of Tucson, Arizona, for the loan of critical material used in the following studies. Names of colors are capitalized when direct comparison has been made with Ridgway's "Color standards and color nomenclature." Progne chalybea chalybea (Gmelin) [Hirundo] chalybea GMELIN, 1789, Systema naturae, vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 1026- based on Hirundo cayanensis Brisson, Ornithologie, vol. 2, p. 495, pl. 46, fig. 1, and Daubenton, Planches enlumin6es, pl. 545, fig. 2; Cayenne. Progne leucogaster BAIRD, 1865 (May), Smithsonian Misc. Coll., no. 181, p. 280-various localities in Mexico, Guatemala, [El] Salvador, Costa Rica, Pa- namA, and Colombia; type in U. S. Natl. Mus. from Cajab6n, Guatemala. Puerto Indiana, 3 c, 2 9 ; Morropon, 4 c, 2 9. Compared with 118 additional skins from central Brazil north to the three Guianas and Trinidad, to the eastward, and Mexico and Texas, to the westward, with all intermediate countries except British Hon- duras represented in the series. A random sample of 15 males and 11 females from throughout the range shows the males to have the wing 124-138 mm. (average, 131.7); tail, 58-66 (62.5); females, wing, 121- 132 (130); tail, 54-65 (61).
[Show full text]
Breeding Biology of Asian House Martin Delichon Dasypus in a High-Elevation Area
FORKTAIL 28 (2012): 62–66 Breeding biology of Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus in a high-elevation area ZHIXIN ZHOU, YUE SUN, LU DONG, CANWEI XIA, HUW LLOYD & YANYUN ZHANG We present data on the breeding biology of the largest known colony of Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus, located in the Jiangxi Wuyishan Nature Reserve at 2,158 m in the Huanggang Mountains, China. Nest surveys conducted in abandoned buildings in a subalpine meadow during March–August 2007 and 2008 yielded 163 and 132 clutches, from 84 and 82 nests, respectively. Breeding pairs also laid multiple broods and replacement clutches. Average clutch size was 3.0 and 2.6 eggs for first and second broods respectively. Synchronous hatching was detected in 79% of clutches. The proportion of eggs hatching was 0.7 and 0.6 for first and second broods respectively, and the proportion fledging was 0.5 and 0.4 respectively. Nests situated inside buildings were more successful than those situated outside owing to greater protection from severe weather, which was the major cause of breeding failure. Nest losses caused by severe weather were more pronounced later in the breeding season. INTRODUCTION Nest surveys The 3-ha study area is predominately subalpine meadow habitat in Many bird species raise only one brood per year because of a narrow which are situated more than 30 abandoned buildings and garages period of suitable environmental conditions which prohibits that provide suitable nesting substrate for the breeding martins. The multiple breeding attempts (Evans-Ogden & Stutchbury 1996). nest of Asian House Martin is a closed cup typical of hirundines, Others raise multiple broods per breeding season (Verhulst et al.
[Show full text]
South American Migrant Swallows of the Genus Progne in Panama and Northern South America; with Comments on Their Identification and Molt
528 GeneralNotes LVol.•- Auk?õ wing stretch movement (Eibl-Eibesfeldt and Kramer, Quart. Rev. Biol., 33: 181-211,1958). Woodpeckersdo this in an atypicalmanner. All oœmy captive individualsstretch one wing way down without any movementof either foot. One has to be in a favorableposition to see this clearly. It is more difficult to observein the field, but on one occasionI watcheda Pileated Woodpeckerdo a wing stretchwhile both of its feet were clampedwidely apart on a tree trunk. It remained in view during the extreme downward movement of the wing. Koenig has photographeda Bee-eater (Meropsapiaster) wing-stretchingin this manner (Nature Storiesfrom the Vienna Woods. Crowell. New York. 1958).-- Lnw•.•Nc• K•LH•,M,7815 AberdeenRoad, Bethesda14, Maryland. Ash-throated Flycatcher in Alabama.--S. W. Simon (Auk, 75: 469, 1958)sum- marizesthe recordsof the Ash-throatedFlycatcher (Myiarchusciner•cens) east of the MississippiRiver in the United States-sevenspecimens and two sight recordsare listed. To this growinglist I would add a specimenI collected November2, 1958at Dauphin Island, Alabama. The specimenwas identifiedat the LouisianaState University Museum of Natural History by Dr. Robert J. Newmanas Myiarchuscinerascens cinerascens. The specimenis now No. 4645.1a in the Florida State University bird collection. This is the first record of the speciesin Alabama (Thomas A. Imhof, personalcommunication).--Love•-r E. W•n•ss, JR., Wildli[e ResearchUnit, A•PJ., Auburn, Alabama. N ew Record of the Eastern Barn Swallow in Mieronesia.--The Eastern Barn Swallow (Hitundo rustics gutturalis), which normally winters as far south as Australia,has been reportedas a fall and winter migrant in westernMi•onesia by severalobservers.
[Show full text]
Colorado Birds the Colorado Field Ornithologists' Quarterly
Colorado Birds The Colorado Field Ornithologists' Quarterly Vol. 37, No. 3 July 2003 Vol. 37, No. 3 Colorado Birds July 2003 TABLE OF C ONTENTS LIST OF I LLUSTRATIONS....................................................................................................110 RON R YDER A WARD A CCEPTANCE REMARKS..............................................................111 Stephen Martin UPCOMING CFO FIELDTRIPS..........................................................................................112 PELAGIC B IRDING T RIP FOR CFO MEMBERS..................................................................113 CFO BOARD M INUTES...................................................................................................114 Sherry Chapman RAPTORS AND P OWER L INE C OLLISIONS.........................................................................118 Richard Harness, Sam Milodragovich, and Jeff Schomburg SHARP-SHINNED H AWK U SE OF AN O WL B OX...............................................................123 BB Hahn LANDOWNER A PPRECIATION P LAQUE R ECIPIENT - CYNDI M OSCH..............................124 COLORADO’S P URPLE M ARTINS......................................................................................126 Rich Levad BYLAWS OF THE C OLORADO F IELD O RNITHOLOGISTS...................................................132 MEET THE C OLORADO B IRD R ECORDS C OMMITTEE.........................................................137 REPORT OF THE COLORADO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2001 REPORTS, PART 1....................................................................................138
[Show full text]
14? - .'Iff' K -H^-'"' Oregon 115 Eric Horvath
Vol. 26, No. 1, Spring 2000 The quarterly journal of Oregon field ornithology Distribution, Abundance, and Nest Site Characteristics of Putple Martins in 14? - .'Iff' K -H^-'"' Oregon 115 Eric Horvath • June Sighting of Multiple Glaucous Gulls in * Otegon, with Notes on Identification .... 123 Phillip Pickering Gray-headed Junco ijunco hyemalis caniceps) found nesting in Oregon Canyon, Malheur County, Oregon 128 Mike Denny > 1 Site guide: Wood River Wetlands, Klamath County 130 Kevin T. Spencer Lane County Big Day 1999: Did the late migration help or hurt in the chase for a record? 132 Alan Contreras Announcements: 1999 OFO Awards, Editorial Assistance Sought 136 Mary Anne Sohlstrom, Matt Hunter Field Notes: Eastern Oregon, Summer 1999 138 Kevin T. Spencer Field Notes: Western Oregon, Summer 1999 144 Bill Tice i Purple Martin, female, nesting in snag, Curry County, July 1998. Photo/Eric Horvath Oregon Field Ornithologists Box 10373, Eugene OR 97440 OFO Website: www.oregonbirds.org The mission of Oregon Field Ornithologists is to further the knowledge, education, enjoyment and science of birds and birding in Oregon. Officers and Board of Directors President Ray Korpi, Portland (2000), 503-289-1676, [email protected] Secretary Mary Anne Sohlstrom, Salem (2000), [email protected] Treasurer Reid Freeman, Eugene (2000), 541-343-7488, [email protected] Directors Vjera Arnold, Springfield (2000), [email protected] Tom Winters, John Day (2000), [email protected] Steve Dowlan, Mehama (2001), [email protected] Dennis Vroman, Grants Pass (2001), [email protected] Committees of Oregon Field Ornithologists Publications Ray Korpi, [email protected] Archivist Paul T. Sullivan, [email protected] OFO Bookcase Lucy Biggs, [email protected] OFO Birding Weekends Paul T.
[Show full text]
Breeding Biology of Asian House Martin Delichon Dasypus in a High-Elevation Area
FORKTAIL 28 (2012): 1–6 Breeding biology of Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus in a high-elevation area ZHIXIN ZHOU, YUE SUN, LU DONG, CANWEI XIA, HUW LLOYD & YANYUN ZHANG We present data on the breeding biology of the largest known colony of Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus , located in the Jiangxi Wuyishan Nature Reserve at 2,158 m in the Huanggang Mountains, China. Nest surveys conducted in abandoned buildings in a subalpine meadow during March–August 2007 and 2008 yielded 163 and 132 clutches, from 84 and 82 nests, respectively. Breeding pairs also laid multiple broods and replacement clutches. Average clutch size was 3.0 and 2.6 eggs for first and second broods respectively. Synchronous hatching was detected in 79% of clutches. The proportion of eggs hatching was 0.7 and 0.6 for first and second broods respectively, and the proportion fledging was 0.5 and 0.4 respectively. Nests situated inside buildings were more successful than those situated outside owing to greater protection from severe weather, which was the major cause of breeding failure. Nest losses caused by severe weather were more pronounced later in the breeding season. INTRODUCTION Nest surveys The 3-ha study area is predominately subalpine meadow habitat in Many bird species raise only one brood per year because of a narrow which are situated more than 30 abandoned buildings and garages period of suitable environmental conditions which prohibits that provide suitable nesting substrate for the breeding martins. The multiple breeding attempts (Evans-Ogden & Stutchbury 1996). nest of Asian House Martin is a closed cup typical of hirundines, Others raise multiple broods per breeding season (Verhulst et al.
[Show full text]
SWALLOWS and Conservation Biology Cooperative Extension University of California Davis, California 95616
W. Paul Gorenzel Staff Research Associate Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, SWALLOWS and Conservation Biology Cooperative Extension University of California Davis, California 95616 Terrell P. Salmon Wildlife Extension Specialist Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology University of California Davis, California 95616 Fig. 1. Cliff swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota) with nests on a building. Identification Damage Prevention and Repellents Control Methods Not effective. Eight members of the swallow family Hirundinidae breed in North America: Toxicants Exclusion the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), None are registered. violet-green swallow (Tachycineta Netting or wire mesh. thalassina), purple martin (Progne Trapping Strip doors. subis), bank swallow (Riparia riparia), Not allowed. northern rough-winged swallow Habitat Modification (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), barn swal- Shooting Substrate modification: slick low (Hirundo rustica), cave swallow surfaces discourage nesting. Not allowed. (Hirundo fulva), and the cliff swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota). Of the eight spe- Nest Removal Architectural design: some cies, barn and cliff swallows regularly designs discourage nesting. Avoid Wash nests down with a water hose or build mud nests attached to buildings overhanging eaves. knock down with a pole. and other structures, a habit that Frightening sometimes puts them into conflict with humans. This is particularly true of the Not effective for barn or cliff swallows. cliff swallow, which nests in large colo- nies of up to several hundred pairs. Barn swallows tend to nest as single pairs or occasionally in loose colonies PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994 Cooperative Extension Division Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska - Lincoln United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control E-121 Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee of a few pairs.
[Show full text]