Males
The male purple martin has feathers that are a dark purple and almost look black. They have a forked tail and a small beak.
Females
The female has an upper body that is a darkened gray color with streaks of purple. The underbelly is white and there is a band of gray across the breast and throat.
Size
The typical purple martin is eight inches in length and has a pair of long wings that are pointed. It has a wingspan of up to 16 inches.
Considerations
The purple martin can be distinguished from similar swallow species because it is the only swallow that has a dark belly.
Expert Insight
The head of the purple martin is large for the size of its body and the bird has a thick chest. It always eats while on the fly, catching insects, and also drinks by skimming over the water and scooping some up.
Article Written By John Lindell
John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.
