Purple Martin

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Purple Martin in the UK

Purple Martin has one accepted British record. A juvenile was found at the Butt of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, on 5 September 2004 and was seen again nearby the next day. It was the first for Britain and for the wider Western Palearctic, and the species is on the British List in Category A because of it. No other British record has been accepted since. It breeds across North America and winters in South America, so vagrants here are young birds blown off course on their first autumn migration.

Where and when to see a Purple Martin

One record gives little to plan around, but it fits the pattern for American landbirds: early autumn, on the far north-west edge of Britain, after fast Atlantic depressions. The Outer Hebrides, Shetland and the Isles of Scilly are the likely places, in September and October. A lost martin would feed over headlands, crofts and lochs with other hirundines. News would break through the bird information services within minutes.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Open country (extreme vagrant).
Diet: Aerial insects.
Field note: Glossy dark male; grey-white young.

How to identify a Purple Martin

A very large swallow, close to Starling in bulk, with broad-based triangular wings and a shallow forked tail. The flight is slower than House Martin, with long glides. The British bird was a juvenile: dusky grey-brown above, with a grey throat and breast, a dirty white belly with fine dark streaks and a pale collar at the sides of the neck. Adult males are glossy blue-black all over. There is no white rump at any age.

Call and song

Calls are low, rich and gurgling: a throaty "chew" or "chew-chew", quite unlike the dry rattle of House Martin. A lone vagrant may stay quiet. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Western House Martin: House Martin is much smaller with a bright white rump and clean white underparts.
• Starling: A Starling in flight has the same triangular wings but a short square tail and fast, direct wingbeats without glides.
• Common Swift: Swift is all dark with long, narrow, scythe-shaped wings held stiff, not the broad wings of a martin.

Related guide Rare birds in the UK.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Purple Martin is a Legendary tier bird, worth +50 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Cliff SwallowLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• American KestrelLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Amur FalconLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Blue-cheeked Bee-eaterLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Eastern KingbirdLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Sooty FalconLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)

Purple Martin: quick answers

Has a Purple Martin ever been seen in the UK?

Yes, once. A juvenile was at the Butt of Lewis on the Isle of Lewis on 5 and 6 September 2004. It was photographed and accepted by the national rarities committee.

What does a Purple Martin eat?

Flying insects caught on the wing, often higher up than other swallows hunt. Dragonflies, beetles, flies and flying ants all feature. In eastern North America almost the whole population now nests in boxes and hollow gourds put up by people.

Is the Purple Martin rare in the UK?

It is as rare as a bird on the British List can be, with a single record in 2004. In North America it is a common and familiar summer bird.

Kit that helps

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