All have cause to marvel at the sight of a gorgeous male Purple martin. Adult males are entirely glossy bluish-purple, although they may look black in poor light. Females and yearling males are grayish below and darker above with a paler forehead and nape.

The world's largest swallow, martins are uncommon in Oregon. They nest both solitarily and colonially in nest boxes specially put up for them, in crevices in human-made structures, and in cavities in snags and pilings.

They are an uncommon local summer resident, principally inhabiting the Coast Range and Willamette Valley. They are also locally common at Fern Ridge Reservoir, in Lane County and at some coastal estuaries and numerous colonies along the Columbia River from Hood River to Astoria.

Purple martins are an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in the Coast Range, Klamath Mountains, West Cascades, and Willamette Valley ecoregions. 

Hear the call and song of the Purple martin

Photo by Kathy Munsel, ODFW