For generations, the sight of purple martin houses dotting American backyards has been a cherished symbol of spring’s return. These elaborate multi-unit bird dwellings, often resembling ...

Purple martins perch around a pod of homes at the Explore Nature event at North Park in Denham Springs on May 14, 2022. Explore Nature is an educational event that brings in displays of various ...

It used to be a rite of passage, especially for people that live on lakes or farms, to put up Martin houses in the spring form, but that’s fallen out of favor as populations have declined over ...

It’s best to avoid placing houses near large trees, as birds of prey may stop by and they can threaten purple martins. “Kentucky is a great place to put up a purple martin house,” Siegrist said.