Purple Martin (corrected to Tree Swallow!) Nest in unusual house Broad Ripple Village Indianapolis

This nature scene was taken 5-1-09 on a small lake just north of Broad Ripple Village in the heart of Indianapolis. I was shocked to see that a nesting pair of Purple Martins (corrected- Tree Swallows) had made a nest in this unconventional house. My father made this house several years ago but has never had a taker. We broke every rule of thumb, and got a pair of swallows. The house is only 3 feet off the ground, is red, and there many obstacles to flight. I am concerned raccoons so I will likely put the house on a taller shepherd hook, but still in the shade of the evergreen. Any suggestions or questions are welcome. How many bird types can you hear? Is this an unusual nest for tree swallows?

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Pets & Animals

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• Purple
• Martins
• Tree
• Swallows
• house
• nesting
• pair.
• Nature
• scene.
• Bird
• calls
• sounds.
• CBS
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• Morning
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[IN82DV8]

The male is extremely purple! How can you tell the difference?

[hornerm5]

or house swallows? What kind of material is the nest made of ?

[deso5626]

male has a longer forked tail than the female..

[boots235]

I am pretty much in agreement that those are tree swallows or barn swallows. However, I am no expert.

[deso5626]

hi,

that is a tree swallow...they cousins to the martins