The Purple Martin can be found throughout nearly the entire United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Although declining in many western states, it is also found in isolated areas in Canada, Oregon, Washington, California, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. The bird is an early spring migrant returning from its winter grounds in South America. Physical Characteristics Full grown Purple Martins average eight inches in length.
Mature males are dark colored birds with purple glossy feathers.
The females and juvenile birds are mostly gray with white patches on the breast and stomach. The head, nape and rump tend to be slightly darker. In their first spring, males resemble females but often show some purple coloration. Purple Martins have similar body shape to other swallows but tend to be larger. In flight they resemble the European Starling, but have a forked tail and longer wings.