Designing and building a Purple Martin House is a great way to build your own Art Deco home. The Purple Martin is an avid insect-eater and a joy to have around. Learn how to build a Purple Martin House to attract these delightful creatures and make a stylish Art Deco house design. University of Missouri Extension provides detailed instructions, drawings, and materials lists to construct a Purple Martin House. It is made of durable materials like white cedar, designed to be predator-proof and the its silver roof will make a great Art Deco style statement. The design proposed by the University of Missouri Extension allows for up to 24 individual compartments, to house multiple purple Martins in the same fell swoop. The Purple Martin will breed and raise their young in this house which should be ideally placed in an open field; it should be at least 25 feet away from any buildings or trees. Designing and Building a Purple Martin House - University of Missouri Extension
To build a Purple Martin House and attract these birds, the USDA Forest Service provides invaluable advice. The first thing to consider is choosing the right site, with the house facing approximately east and out of the prevailing winds. It should be set at least 10 to 20 feet away from any trees, poles, or fences. Installation should take place in early spring as early arrival times give Purple Martins the chance to claim desirable nest boxes over other species of birds. In addition, the Forest Service advises to remove old nesting material at the start of the season to attract more Martins. As well, to increase the likelihood of Martins taking up residence, avoid human disturbance and provide supplementary food such as mealworms on a shallow platform. Attracting Purple Martins - USDA Forest Service
To build your own Art Deco Purple Martin House, Dave and Amy Hill provide detailed plans on their website, along with an instructional video. Building materials include recycled milk jugs, bamboo, plywood, and foam core. This plan is great if you’re trying to build your own Art Deco home on a budget. These birds prefer their nests to be dark inside as compared to light, so make sure to use recycled dark colored plastic pieces. Also, its best to use lightweight foam core board for the roof so that the birds can easily move it when entering or exiting the house. The nesting platform should be located four to eight feet off the ground.Purple Martin House Plans, Instructions to Build a Purple Martin House
The website WoodArchivist.com provides step-by-step instructions on how to build a Purple Martin House. It begins with cutting the 8x8 pressure-treated board into four 16-inch by 8-inch sections, followed by cutting the four individual housing sections. It's important to note that the birds prefer the boxes to be mounted on an 8- to 11-foot-high pole at least 10 feet away from other structures or trees. Additionally, the website includes pictures of the completed house, making it easy to follow instructions. This plan is also great if you’re looking to add a unique Art Deco touch to your property. The roof and sides of the Martin House are constructed out of 3/4" thick cedar lumber, making it extremely durable to outside elements. The back and sides of the box are also left unfinished, revealing the day and grain of the cedar.Home Made Purple Martin House - WoodArchivist.com
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture provides a wealth of information about the Purple Martin. It is the largest member of the swallow family, living in North America and wintering in Brazil. It eats exclusively flying insects and their eggs, helping to reduce the local insect populations. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture provides valuable suggestions on where to place the Purple Martin House. It should be placed close to an open area, free of trees and high-tension wires and should be set away from where people frequent. It also needs to be near a good source of water to attract the birds. Purple Martin - University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
To build a Purple Martin House, Popular Mechanics provides a detailed plan on their website. It's a great way to add Art Deco touches to your home. This plan involves cutting and assembling two square wood frames of 2x2 boards, attaching a roof, and inserting the plastic panels. It is important to select materials that are both weather-resistant and rot-resistant, like pine or cedar. For the roof, Popular Mechanics suggests cutting four 2x2 boards to the exact specifications of the house, and then attaching four frames to form a square. Once the roof is secured, then plastic panels can be attached and the house will be ready to install. Purple Martin House Plans, Building a Purple Martin House
The Wildlife Habitat Management - Purple Martins article from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides valuable advice on how to attract these birds to your property. This includes providing the birds with a source of food, water, and shelter. They suggest setting the Purple Martin houses in open grassy fields or golf courses in order to increase the chance of attracting the birds. In terms of what type of house to build, the article suggests constructing a house out of light, rot-resistant wood such as cedar or pine. Moreover, the house should be cleaned out annually to make it more attractive to Purple Martins. It should also be mounted at least 10 feet off the ground. The roofs should be painted light colors in order to reflect the heat of the sun. Wildlife Habitat Management - Purple Martins - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The Purdue Institute of Agriculture provides plans for constructing a Purple Martin House and for providing these birds with living quarters; this plan includes trapezoid and "bishop's cap" houses. The plan suggests that the house be mounted pole-style in open areas, with the pole sunk at least two feet into the ground. The house should be painted with light-colored, weather-resistant paint and should have an overhanging roof to protect the birds from inclement weather. The design should also be made of durable materials to make it long-lasting and predator-resistant. This will also add a unique Art Deco look to any home. The house should also have compartments for housing multiple Purple Martins at the same time.Purple Martin House Plans - Purdue Extension
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service provides excellent information on the Purple Martin, including how to attract and house these birds. The article suggests constructing the Purple Martin House, using predator-resistant materials to protect the birds, cleaning out old nests and ensuring that the house is facing east to avoid the prevailing winds. The article also suggests using a single entrance hole so that Purple Martins can stake out the best sites for their nests, and so that only Purple Martins have access to the house. The house should also be painted in artistic colors in order to add a touch of Art Deco to the landscape. USDA Forest Service: The Purple Martin (and the House It Lives In)
The USDA Forest Service provides detailed plans for constructing a Purple Martin House. These plans involve using 7/16 OSB plywood (oriented strand board), 4x4 posts, and pressure-treated 2x4 lumber to build the frame of the house. This particular plan is designed to give the birds some protection from predators while their nests are being established. Additionally, the Forest Service suggests mounting the house on a 4x4 post to increase its lifespan and to ward off predators. Building plans for a Purple Martin House from the USDA Forest Service also includes advice on painting the house. They suggest using light colors like gray, white, or blue in order to reflect sunlight and protect the birds from overheating. Furthermore, light colors also provide an Art Deco flair to the house's design. USDA Forest Service: Purple Martin Housing Plans