purple martin

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purple martin

A large swallow (Progne subis) of the Americas, having glossy blue-black plumage and, in the female, a light-colored breast.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

pur′ple mar′tin

a large American swallow, Progne subis, the male of which is blue-black.

[1735–45, Amer.]

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Noun

purple martin - large North American martin of which the male is blue-black

Progne subis

martin - any of various swallows with squarish or slightly forked tail and long pointed wings; migrate around Martinmas

genus Progne, Progne - a genus of Hirundinidae

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References in periodicals archive ?

I've found even 400 fps is perfectly adequate for dealing with sparrows trying to muscle in on my purple martin nests.

THE .177 SOLUTION

* PURPLE MARTIN A migrant from South America, this bird flies north to breed.

BIRD LAND: In this Year of the Bird, here are 10 species local birdwatchers love to spot

Residents create shelter for their featured friends by building Bluebird, Purple Martin and Wood Duck houses in the community's woodshop.

Atlantic Shores Residents Shelter Wayward Wildlife

-- As the purple martin parents circled, swooped and watched from a high perch a few yards away, Sam Thomas unlatched the door of what looked like a large Victorian dollhouse and reached into one of the shelves inside.

Threatened purple martin tracked

The wildlife team also monitors a 24-unit purple martin house.

Vulcan Materials receives Habitat Conservation Award

* Building bat towers and purple martin houses to attract potential mosquito predators has been proven useless.

Mosquitos: send 'em packing! Seven ways to keep mosquitoes from crashing your next party

For example, studies show that a single purple martin can eat 2,000 flying insects a day.

Pest patrol: a lively alternative to garden chemicals

The North American purple martin - which has never been seen in Europe - has been spotted in the north of Lewis.

Cheep purple

I discovered that my rocketing robin was really a swooping swallow, commonly known as the purple martin (Progne subis).

Purple martin purgatory: I flap my fool feathers right off trying to satisfy my compulsion to serve everyone

* Information on attracting martins can be obtained by writing to the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA), Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA 15419.

The purple martin: America's most wanted bird

In the past, Purple Martin houses were a popular choice for mosquito control.

Going batty!

Purple Martin: Aerial feeders that forage over land and water, purple martins eat a variety of winged insects.