Purple Martins in New Brunswick
When purple martins are present in New Brunswick, when they nest, which native New Brunswick plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 3a–5b yard.
- Status in New Brunswick
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
- Nest box
- 1 3/4–2 1/8 in round, or starling-resistant crescent (3 × 1 3/16 in) hole, 6 × 6 in minimum (6 × 12 in preferred) floor, 10–20 ft on a telescoping pole, 40+ ft from trees
When to expect purple martins in New Brunswick
Purple Martins are summer residents in New Brunswick, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on dragonflies, flies, beetles and moths; flying ants and wasps.
Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.
Nesting in New Brunswick
Across New Brunswick, purple martins typically nest from June–July. Nest site: in the East, nests almost entirely in human-supplied martin houses and gourds. Females lay 3–6 eggs, incubate for 15–18 days, and young leave the nest after 26–32 days.
Mild summers.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before May — purple martins begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 3/4–2 1/8 in round, or starling-resistant crescent (3 × 1 3/16 in) entrance on a 6 × 6 in minimum (6 × 12 in preferred) floor, mounted 10–20 ft on a telescoping pole, 40+ ft from trees.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after July.
Native New Brunswick plants that attract purple martins
Of the regional native plants we track for New Brunswick, these 8 provide food or cover purple martins use:
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.
Feeding purple martins through the New Brunswick year
Purple Martins do not use feeders. Supporting them means supplying correctly built colony housing in the open and managing House Sparrows and starlings.
- Best foods: Crushed eggshells (calcium) offered on a tray near housing.
- Avoid: Seed and suet feeders — martins will not use them.
- In New Brunswick's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are purple martins in New Brunswick year-round?
No. Purple Martins are summer breeders in New Brunswick and leave for the winter.
When do purple martins nest in New Brunswick?
Nesting in New Brunswick typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–6 eggs, incubated for 15–18 days.
What native plants attract purple martins in New Brunswick?
Serviceberry, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Eastern white pine are native plants in New Brunswick that provide food or cover for purple martins.
What size birdhouse hole do purple martins need?
1 3/4–2 1/8 in round, or starling-resistant crescent (3 × 1 3/16 in), with a floor of 6 × 6 in minimum (6 × 12 in preferred) mounted 10–20 ft on a telescoping pole, 40+ ft from trees.
Purple Martins in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Brunswick
Sources
- Purple Martin — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Purple Martin life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Purple Martin — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- Purple Martin Conservation Association — housing guidelines
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Brunswick
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.