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The nest is a structure of primarily three levels: the first level acts as a foundation and is usually made up of twigs, mud, small pebbles, and in at least a few reported cases, small river mollusk shells were used; the second level of the nest is made up of grasses, finer smaller twigs; the third level of construction composing the nest is a ...
The purple martin is also actively encouraged by people to nest around humans and elaborate nest boxes are erected. Enough artificial nesting sites have been created that the purple martin now seldom nests in natural cavities in the eastern part of its range. [52]
The house martins nest in colonies on cliffs or buildings, constructing feather- or grass-lined mud nests. The typical clutch is two or three white eggs; both parents build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the chicks. These martins are aerial hunters of small insects such as flies and aphids.
The Purple Martin Conservation Association tracks the arrival of the birds with the help of about 3,500 volunteers. A smaller group of about 220 volunteers monitors the nests. For more information ...
Violet-green swallows are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they typically nest in natural holes or previously occupied nests. [15] [16] Some breeding pairs will even go as far as usurping nests from other species. [17] A majority of violet-green swallow nests are in tree holes excavated by other animals or within the cracks of large cliffs.
A colony size of less than 10 nests is typical, but there are records of colonies with thousands of nests. Four or five white eggs are usually laid, which average 1.9 cm × 1.33 cm (3 ⁄ 4 in × 17 ⁄ 32 in) in size, and weigh 1.7 g (1 ⁄ 16 oz). The female does most of the incubation, which normally lasts 14–16 days.
The Caribbean martin nests in cavities in banks and buildings, or old woodpecker holes. 3–6 eggs are laid in the lined nest, and incubated for 15 days, with another 26–27 to fledging. Just as the purple martin, this species may compete with other passerines for nesting cavities.
The nests in a colony are clustered together. Both sexes build the nest and share incubation and care of the young. The clutch is usually four, sometimes five, reddish-brown speckled white eggs, and this species is often double or triple brooded. The fairy martin feeds high in the air on flying insects, usually in large flocks.