Purple Martin Gourd BirdHouse

thingiverse

I'm trying to build a purple martin birdhouse that mimics the type of gourd they traditionally nest in. I've sourced a screw and lid from thing:84, which should serve as a solid foundation for my project. According to research on Purple Martins' history at purplemartin.org, these birds are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they don't dig their own cavities like woodpeckers do. Instead, they make use of existing holes in trees, rocks, or other formations. Traditionally, Purple Martins nested in natural cavities such as old woodpecker nests or on rocky ledges. However, thousands of years ago, people started providing Purple Martins with man-made housing in the form of dried, hollow gourds. As these birds successfully raised their young in these homes and natural cavities became scarce, they shifted their behavior entirely, opting for human-made structures over traditional nesting sites. I'm excited to create more homes for the Purple Martin! To ensure starling-resistant entry, I've consulted the expert advice on purplemartin.org. The design I'll be working with features updated top vent holes that angle downward to prevent moisture from entering the gourd. Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable in helping me refine this model, so please don't hesitate to share your insights!