PURPLE MARTIN HOUSES: We'll tell you about a bird 
species dependent on humans for survival... on 
Passport to Texas.

This is Passport to Texas

Purple Martins begin to travel across Texas this 
month, stopping to nest in birdhouses designed for 
them. They rely on our help because they've 
adapted to manmade "nest boxes" originally 
constructed from gourds by Native Americans. 

Yet, opinions vary about how this relationship 
between bird and man began. Some believe native 
people placed gourds on the ends of their teepee 
poles to intentionally attract the purple martins. 
The birds provided insect control, and chased off 
creatures that tried to eat game left out to dry by 
the hunters.


Other martin enthusiasts believe the relationship 
was accidental. Native Americans hung gourds high 
off the ground to prevent rotting, and rodents from 
chewing holes in them. The clever rodents found 
and chewed holes in the gourds, just the same.

The purple martins, while hunting for a nesting 
cavity spotted openings in the gourds, and nested 
inside them. Living close to man meant fewer 
predators -- and they did eat pesky insects. Their 
symbiotic relationship allegedly evolved from there. 

Whatever the truth, today's purple martin houses 
are either "gourd-type" single-family dwellings 
made from polyethylene, or "house-type" multi-
family units made out of aluminum, or wood. And 
they remain a great bird to have around the house.
 

That's out show ... For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I'm 
Cecilia Nasti.



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Not sure about this. I doubt that anyone really knows how long native Americans used gourds for 
attracting martins, I'd leave the time reference out ... 
Which house? The nearest human house? Not necessarily so, as long as it is far enough away. Another 
attractant is a good perch-site: they are definitely attracted to nest boxes near city utility lines for perching.