BREEDING SEASON

5 months of desert Purple Martins in Sonoran Desert

Desert Purple Martins arrive

to their breeding grounds in the Sonoran Desert

Desert Purple Martins find a mate...

…and a suitable saguaro boot

to nest in

Once the female lays the

eggs, Purple Martins will

incubate and raise their

young for 41-48 days

inside the nest.

Time to go!

As summer comes to an end and

their nestlings fledge, desert

Purple Martins leave the

Sonoran Desert to begin their

southward migration

INSIDE THE NEST

Desert purple martins line the saguaro cavity with leaves and lay 2-7 pure white eggs.

Desert purple martins line the saguaro cavity with leaves and lay 2-7 pure white eggs.

Incubation lasts 15-16 days and eggs may hatch over 2-3 days.

Incubation lasts 15-16 days and eggs may hatch over 2-3 days.

When the chicks hatch, they have no feathers and are helpless.

When the chicks hatch, they have no feathers and are helpless.

Both the male and female parents bring food to the chicks as they grow in the nest.

Both the male and female parents bring food to the chicks as they grow in the nest.

Chicks will leave the nest 26-32 days after hatching.

Chicks will leave the nest 26-32 days after hatching.

Once the chicks fledge, both of the parents will continue to care for them and teach them important life skills for another 1-2 weeks.

Once the chicks fledge, both of the parents will continue to care for them and teach them important life skills for another 1-2 weeks.

OUTSIDE THE NEST