A twelve-room cedar purple martin house built for a colony, with an optional 15' telescoping pole that lets you raise it into open sky and lower it again whenever you need to.

Purple martins nest together, and this house gives up to twelve families a room of their own. Each apartment measures 4"L x 5"W x 5.25"H, with ventilation holes that help keep the temperature inside steady. Round 2.125" entrances open onto porches with railings for landing and perching, and porch dividers help keep a single male from dominating the house. A pitched roof overhangs the porches to shed rain and shelter your martins as they come and go.

The included mounting plate fits any steel telescoping pole with a 1.25" top outer diameter, so you can pair it with our matching pole or use one you already own. Some easy assembly required.

The optional telescoping pole

Four white powder-coated steel sections telescope to 15' overall and lock securely in place with the included key locks. Telescoping is what makes martin housing manageable: lower the house to check on nests and clear out house sparrows or starlings, then raise it back up. A 14.75" plastic ground socket sets in concrete, so the pole lifts out at the end of each season. Rated for up to 25 lbs. Two 20" gourd rods with clamps are included if you want to hang gourds below the house later (gourds sold separately). Pole made in the USA.

Where to put it

Martins need open sky. Set the pole in the middle of the largest open area you have, at least 40 ft (60 ft is better) from trees and buildings, with no tree taller than the house nearby. Mount the house 12 to 20 ft up, within about 100 ft of where people come and go, since nearby human activity helps deter predators. Add a predator baffle to the pole, and keep wires and lines away from the house so squirrels can’t use them as a bridge.

Specifications

• Rooms: 12
• Entrance holes: 2.125" diameter, round
• Apartment size: 4"L x 5"W x 5.25"H
• House dimensions: 19"L x 15.5"W x 15.25"H
• Construction: cedar
• Mounting: pole mount, mounting plate included (fits 1.25" top OD pole)
• House shipping weight: 17 lbs
• Optional pole: 15' overall, 4 steel sections, white powder coat, 25 lb capacity, ground socket, 2 gourd rods and clamps, hardware included
• Pole shipping weight: 11 lbs

Common questions

What size entrance hole does a purple martin house need? The traditional purple martin entrance is about 2 1/8" round. This house uses 2.125" round openings.

How high should a purple martin house be mounted? 12 to 20 ft, in the center of an open space.

Is the pole included? The pole is an optional add on. The house includes a mounting plate that fits any steel pole with a 1.25" top outer diameter.  If you would like to purchase the pole choose the House w/Pole option.

Why does a telescoping pole matter? Martin housing should be lowered regularly to check nests and remove house sparrows and starlings. A telescoping pole makes that a quick job.