How long do purple martins live?
The oldest Purple Martin on record lived to 13.8 years, a record from a wild bird. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild purple martins live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 13.8 years
- Record from
- Wild bird
- Age at first breeding
- About 1 year
- Eggs per clutch
- 3–6 eggs
- Broods per year
- 1 per season
- Size
- 7.5–7.9 in, 1.6–2.1 oz
- Rank in family (of species on this site)
- 2 of 7
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a Purple Martin can survive to, not what most do.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
Purple martins usually start breeding at about 1 year old. Each season a pair lays 3–6 eggs and raises 1 per season, with eggs taking 15–18 days to hatch.
How purple martins compare with relatives
Oldest recorded ages for other swallows on this site.
- Barn Swallow16 years
- Tree Swallow12.1 years
- Cliff Swallow11.8 years
- Bank Swallow10.1 years
- Violet-green Swallow9.1 years
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow5.9 years
More about purple martins
Frequently asked
How long do purple martins live?
The longest-lived Purple Martin on record reached 13.8 years, recorded from a wild bird. Most wild purple martins live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
How old is a Purple Martin when it first breeds?
Usually about 1 year old.
What is the oldest Purple Martin ever recorded?
13.8 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a Purple Martin raise in a year?
Pairs lay 3–6 eggs and raise 1 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "medium". genomics.senescence.info