North America's largest swallow species, famous for its iridescent dark purple plumage and soaring flight. They arrive in Hill Country from South America as early as February.
Field Identification: Adult male: uniform shimmering dark blue-purple overall. Female/juvenile: greyish-white chest with dark head cap.
Texas & Hill Country Notes: East of the Rocky Mountains, Purple Martins nest almost 100% exclusively in man-made birdhouses and hollow gourd racks provided by humans. Native Americans hung dried bottle gourds in trees to attract martins for natural insect control long before European settlement.
