Publication Date
6-1-2003
Abstract
The Purple Martin (Progne subis) is believed to be a recent addition to the avifauna of northwest Texas. Through installation of martin housing, the eastern subspecies (P. s. subis) expanded its range westerly into the region during the last century, and now occurs east of a line extending through Spearman, Amarillo, Lubbock, and Monahans. This presentation will discuss the historical and present distribution of Purple Martins in Northwest Texas, as well as a banding program that was initiated in 1997. Nestling Purple Martins are banded each summer, with approximately 15% of the colonies receiving color bands unique to the site. More than 2,000 Purple Martins have been banded in the study area, representing 46 individual colonies, located in/near 13 communities. Although band returns through the Bird Banding Laboratory have been scarce (N = 1), to date, use of color bands has generated some interesting information on dispersal of Purple Martins from their natal colony site.
Creative Commons License
Recommended Citation
Ray, James D.
(2003)
"Distribution and Banding of Purple Martins in Northwest Texas,"
Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society: Vol. 36:
Iss.
2, Article 13.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tos_bulletin/vol36/iss2/13