Purple Martin House - Wisconsin Public Service

1 Purple Martin House Materials: 4' x 8' Plywood, outdoor grade (1/4" to 5/8 " preferred) 2 - 1/4 " nuts 1 5/8 " x 1 5/8 " x 3" for chimney 2 - 1/4 " washers 1" x 2" x 14' for base 2 - 1/4 " lockwashers 1" x 1" x 8' for corner blocks 2 - 2 1/4 " round vents Note: 4" x 4" x 14' cedar post Place 1/2 " dowel railing around balcony to keep the 1/4" threaded rod young birds from falling. (length depends upon plywood thickness). 25" 24" 14 1/8 ". Ceiling Roof side Floor (1) (1) (2). This edge fits This edge fits under eave under eave cut Bevel edge 25". 5". out at peak hole for 9 1/2 " 5" 9 1/2 ". threaded rod 2 1/4 " round vent 5/8 " diameter vent holes 5 3/4 ". 2 1/8 ". 3". 6" minus the thickness of 6 1/4 " 3". the plywood 9 3/8 ". 12" 12". 1" 1". End of roof supports 18 3/4 ". 1/4 " wide (2). 6". (or width 6 1/4 ".)

2 Of plywood). 9 3/8 ". 5 3/4 ". 3 1/4 ". 6" minus the thickness of 6" 6" 6" the plywood 24". Side Side Room partition Center roof supports (2) (2) (4) (2). Notes: 1. House is held together by running a 1/4 " threaded 3". rod from the floor thru the roof. 2. Center compartment is inaccessible. Chimney 3. Chimney is placed in the center of the roof ridge. 4. Do not paint the inside of the House . 5. The outside of the House should be painted. Side View Helping the Environment Installing and Caring for Purple Martin Houses Having a successful Purple Martin colony in your Purple Martin House may take some work, but it will provide you with an educational and enjoyable experience! House Placement Purple Martin houses need to be in open areas, such as backyards, meadows, fields and near ponds and lakes.

3 The houses should be placed a minimum of 30 to 40 feet from large trees or buildings. When installing your Purple Martin House , place it on a pole so it is 12 to 20 feet above the ground. You should allow for extra open space if surrounding trees are taller than your placement height. Purple Martins' Competitors House sparrows and starlings will compete aggressively with Purple martins for nesting sites. Repeated nest removal or trapping of House sparrows and starlings may be necessary to make the houses available to martins. It is recommended that you install a pole-mounted predator guard cone to prevent climbing predators like cats, snakes and raccoons from raiding the colony. Cleaning Purple Martin houses should be cleaned out every fall. Around late September, lower the House , clean out the old nests and wash with soap and water.

4 Then, store the House for the winter or plug the cavities to prevent competitors from entering. Have your House ready for occupancy by early to mid-April. Source: J. L. Wade, Attracting Purple Martins, The Nature Society, 1987. Building plans for Purple Martin houses are available online at