Purple Martin

The Purple Martin (Progne subis) is a passerine bird in the swallow family Hirundinidae. It is the largest swallow in North America. The purple martin is not actually purple, despite its name. The dark blackish-blue feathers seem bright blue to navy blue or deep purple due to an iridescent sheen brought on by the refraction of incident light. They might even appear green in certain lighting.

Their breeding range, which is migratory, stretches from central Alberta to the eastern United States. In Baja California, Arizona, and New Mexico, subspecies reproduce. Prior to arriving at their overwintering location in South America, the majority stay briefly in the Yucatán Peninsula or Cuba during their pre-breeding migration to North America and during their post-breeding journey. They are renowned for their quickness, agility, and distinctive blend of glide and rapid flapping flight patterns. They will plunge from the sky at high speeds with their wings tucked when they are near their nesting location, precisely like the peregrine falcon does when it is hunting smaller birds.