Birds

Across most of the eastern US, purple martins rely solely on human-provided housing for nests. Meet us at the purple martin poles at 10am to learn more about the largest member of the swallow family and their unique relationship with humans.

John Miller of St. Louis has had a life-long interest in purple martins, learning about them from his grandfather in Kentucky. He is a volunteer with the Purple Martin Conservation Association, having written articles for the organization's magazine and giving public presentations in the St. Louis area. Miller initiated re-establishment of colonies of purple martins in St. Louis' Forest Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden two decades ago and these colonies viewed as one within the St. Louis metro area probably represent the largest urban colony of martins in the breeding range.