The Purple Martin is the largest swallow in North America; adult males are entirely glossy blue-black, while females are gray-bellied. East of the Rockies, it is now almost entirely dependent on human-provided housing — multi-compartment martin houses and gourds — for nesting. Martins drink and bathe on the wing, skimming water bodies at speed.
Habitat
Open country and suburbs near water with martin housing
Diet
Flying insects, especially dragonflies and beetles
How common
Common
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