Purple Martin
Progne subis
Synopsis: Breeds at widely scattered locations in western Oregon. Traditionally nests in large-diameter snags in large forest openings (burns, large blowdowns, clearcuts) but perhaps most individuals now nest in specially designed nest boxes installed on pilings in the Columbia River (east to Hood River), in coastal estuaries, and at Fern Ridge Reservoir. Notable are the records from Curry County.

Habitat Associations:
More closely tied to availability of
suitable nest cavities than to a particular vegetation
type.
some
Douglas Fir-W. Hemlock-W. Red Cedar Forest (2660866 acres)
Douglas Fir-White Fir/Tanoak-Madrone Mixed Forest (221819 acres)
Mixed Conifer/Mixed Deciduous Forest (941308 acres)
Edges of Recently Cutover/Burnt Forest (493307 acres)
Lake/Pond Shoreline & Islands (99716 acres)
Western Oregon Riverine Woodland (6686 acres)
lesser
Sitka Spruce-W. Hemlock Maritime Forest (261595 acres)
Jeffery Pine Forest/Woodland (5453 acres)
Douglas Fir-Mixed Deciduous Forest (1479 acres)
Douglas Fir/White Oak Forest (125166 acres)
Douglas Fir dominant - Mixed Conifer Forest (255537 acres)
Red Alder (77333 acres)
South coast Mixed Forest (2888 acres)
Northeast Modified Grassland (14244 acres)
Coastal Headland Grass & Shrubland (2285 acres)
Urban/Residential (298008 acres)
Edges of Cropland/Pasture/Orchard (1348411 acres)
Coastal Dunes & Ponds with Widely Scattered Shrubs/Trees (42375 acres)
Streamside/Wetland Shrubland (1671 acres)

Relative Detectability: Easy to spot and confirm nesting, but home range is large. Existing colonies are well-documented due to surveys conducted by Eric Horvath .

Challenge: Monitor the increased re-establishment of this species if nest box program continues to expand geographically. In particular, note any changes in distribution in Marion, Jackson, Klamath, and southern Lake Counties.