WHAT IS THE PURPLE MARTIN INITIATIVE?

Using funds from members and outside donors such as the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance purchases Purple Martin houses and maintains them throughout the breeding season. Teams of Bird Alliance volunteers monitor the houses from April through July, counting how many young are successfully raised and ensuring that House Sparrows and Starlings do not occupy the nesting units. These data are shared with a national database to help scientists better understand the status of this amazing bird.

why is the Bird Alliance doing this?

Purple Martins are North America’s largest species of swallow. Purple Martins nest in colonies, and east of the Rockies, they rely on humans to provide nesting habitat. This follows hundreds of years of Native American peoples providing Purple Martins with gourds and similar structures for nesting. It is also necessary in current times due to a loss of appropriate natural habitat, specifically tree cavities. Like all bird species, Purple Martins are in decline, so it is more important than ever that we support them during their breeding season here in Central Illinois.

can i help?

Why yes, you can! If you are interested in learning more about volunteer Purple Martin “landlord” duties, email us at grandprairiebirdalliance@gmail.com. Donations are also welcomed, although we do not have a specific Purple Martin fund. All membership and general donation dollars are put toward a variety of habitat restoration and nesting improvements (including the purchase and upkeep of Purple Martin houses, the construction of bluebird houses, and the installation of screech owl boxes).

thanks to our partners!

A special thanks to the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation for providing a grant in 2026 to assist the Bird Alliance with the purchase of two new Purple Martin houses! We also benefit greatly from partnering agencies who allow us to place our Purple Martin houses on their properties and, often, for helping with the installation.

City of Bloomington

Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District

Illinois State University Horticulture Center

Luther Oaks

McLean County Parks & Recreation

Town of Normal