Purple Martin Bird House

I want to build a T-14.

Here is information from the Society of Nature. They have a magazine dedicated to the Swallows. Below, from their website:


Attracting Martins in the "perfect" set
colony location is key. Houses should be 30-40 feet from any building, trees, shrubs, etc., but as close to human activity as possible. Purple Martins are a semi-domesticated bird, and as close to people. Martins rarely go above ground, except when collecting nesting material. They need an open migration path to melt and from their home. availability of water a few miles is also a necessity. They drink, bathe and eat while skimming the surface of lakes, rivers, etc. recommended height for a home of Martin is normally 12-14 feet.

the design of adequate housing. Our ancestors could set up almost the entire building and success. No more. The introduction of sparrows and starlings in our country, these techniques have made obsolete by chance. Houses should be:

Cool. Houses should be predominantly white or a natural metal finish (the roof should never be painted a dark color) and should have cross ventilation to enable the rapid cooling of the house.

Drain quickly. The homes that do not drain may have wet nests, which can cause hyperthermia in young birds.

Protect the young. Martins prefer porches, but they must be protected by guard rails to prevent young birds from falling.

discourage starlings. Starlings love nothing brilliant. simplest solution is to have 6 "x6" x6 "compartments aluminum. Martins like them, starlings are not. compartments creating more dark corners that attract starlings.

Control sparrows. Sometimes, these competitors may be controlled by cleaning the nest, so that the house should be easy to clean.

Ease of maintenance. Houses should come up and vertically, be lightweight and have compartments that open easily.

We have something that resembles a gourd. It is plastic, but it seems to be what they want. We have a group of them on a flagpole and they reside there. We try to keep because they eat mosquitoes.

I do not think that type questions, so it is not pressure treated. this is what the site says: "Wood is the best material to use. Avoid pressure-treated wood because when it gets wet it can emit fumes are toxic to birds. Conservatives, such as paint or stain, can be used on the outside of the box, especially the back, but not inside. Avoid using creosote as a preservative.
Do not use cans, milk cartons or metal for nest boxes. They can overheat and kill the eggs and chicks. The only exceptions are commercial houses Martin aluminum. "
http://www.holoweb.com/cannon/buildingbh ...