Insects
The purple martin eats flying insects that it captures while in flight. It is capable of eating thousands of flying insects, catching them with its bill as it glides through the air.
Types
Species of bugs that wind up on the purple martin's menu are moths, butterflies, common houseflies, grasshoppers and dragonflies, which are a favorite food.
Misconceptions
Mosquitoes make up as little as 2 percent of a purple martin's diet, despite claims by birdhouse companies that exaggerate how many of the pests martins eat.
Fun Fact
Purple martins also eat honeybees, but only those that occasionally fly high enough to become prey; martins do the majority of their hunting for insects quite high off the ground.
Significance
Many people will put out oyster shells and eggshells on a raised platform near a purple martin colony; the birds eat them quickly for an excellent source of calcium.
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.
