Purple Martin
Progne subis. This is the largest swallow in North America. You might think that the setting in front of a nest box is not very photogenic. However, almost the entire eastern population of this species nests in artificial nestboxes erected especially for them. Hardly any nest in their original natural nest sites which were holes in trees. Although humans have helped Purple Martins by providing these nest boxes, they have also introduced Starlings and House Sparrows from Europe. These are both invasive species and are aggressive and compete for nest holes with the Purple Martin. The purple colour of this species is like many species with iridescent plumage, cause by light refracting through tiny structures in the feathers rather than by pigmentation. The all-dark plumage identifies this as a male. I photographed this one at Cape May Point State Park where there is a thriving colony next to the car park.
Purple Martin
Progne subis. This is the largest swallow in North America. You might think that the setting in front of a nest box is not very photogenic. However, almost the entire eastern population of this species nests in artificial nestboxes erected especially for them. Hardly any nest in their original natural nest sites which were holes in trees. Although humans have helped Purple Martins by providing these nest boxes, they have also introduced Starlings and House Sparrows from Europe. These are both invasive species and are aggressive and compete for nest holes with the Purple Martin. The purple colour of this species is like many species with iridescent plumage, cause by light refracting through tiny structures in the feathers rather than by pigmentation. The all-dark plumage identifies this as a male. I photographed this one at Cape May Point State Park where there is a thriving colony next to the car park.