European settlers followed suit. More elaborate bird houses have since been developed, but gourds still remain popular and attractive to martins. Physical Characteristics Purple martins are fast fliers, capable of strong, extended flights. Like most other swallows, they feed almost totally in flight and can sail with little effort while feeding. When in flight, adult male purple martins appear jet black.
Closer observation reveals dark purple-blue feathering over most of the body.
In contrast, females appear much duller with only traces of blue evident. Their chin, breast, and abdominal plumage appears pale gray to white. The process of replacing old feathers with new ones is called molting. Until martins complete their second fall molt, young males are hard to tell from females. Dull blue feathering is easy to see on their heads and backs, but patches of gray and white remain over much of their bodies.