Watch as a nest of Purple Martins at the Purple Martin Conservation Association headquarters in Erie, PA progresses from eggs to fledglings.

Our 2023 nestcam family enjoyed a successful breeding season after a rocky start in which most of our oldest resident breeding adults died of cold/starvation during an early spring winter storm. Luckily the nestcam parents arrived after the threat of cold weather had passed and set to work raising a brood of 6 nestlings despite the constant threat of aerial predators.

The parents, four year old banded male #Z567 (nicknamed "Zip" after the zip tie that he brought to the nest) and his mate (nicknamed "Helen" after the character Elastigirl from 'The Incredibles' due to the rubber band she brought to the nest) successfully raised six nestlings to fledging and are all on their way to overwinter in the Brazilian Amazon. We hope to see them return in 2024!

East of the Rocky Mountains, Purple Martins 100% rely on humans to provide nesting habitat. Learn more about Purple Martins and why they need our help at http://www.purplemartin.org

This stream made possible thanks to a grant from the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Founation

Soundtrack used in order of appearance:
Ukulele Beach, Doug Maxwell
Toy Piano, Wayne Jones
Danger Snow, Dan Henig
Watercolor Lilies, Aaron Kenny
Glory Be, Patrick Patrikios