Purple Martin photo by Roger Adamson.

Status and Conservation of the Purple Martin

by Dan Airola

Monday, October 20 at 7:00 PM

In Person at the Noyo Center Field Station and via Zoom

Dan Airola will present an overview of the status and conservation issues facing the Purple Martin in California where it is recognized as a Species of Special Concern. Dan’s talk will discuss the unique life history of this largest North American swallow, differences between the eastern and western subspecies, and current threats they face. He will discuss conservation opportunities through nest box programs, and also provide preliminary results of the 2025 statewide Purple Martin breeding population survey with a focus on results from the Mendocino Coast region acquired with local biologist Sarah Grimes.

Dan Airola is a Wildlife Biologist and Ornithologist who has worked for over 45 years in research and conservation of at-risk species birds in Northern California. Dan has conducted research and a conservation program for the Sacramento Purple Martin population for over 30 years. He also has conducted several status assessments of the species in California and is co-leading the 2025 statewide status. Dan also has led studies in Northern California for the Tricolored Blackbird, Yellow-billed Magpie, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Swainson’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, fire-adapted forest species, migrant songbirds, and diving ducks. Dan also serves the Central Valley Bird Club as a Director, Conservation Chair, and editor of the journal Central Valley Birds and is a Conservation Committee member for Sacramento Audubon.