Go The Extra Mile For Birds Your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Act by December 31! BIRD OF THE WEEK: 3/27/2015 SCIENTIFIC NAME: Progne subis POPULATION: 7 million TREND: Decreasing HABITAT: Breeds in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico; winters in South America The Purple Martin, North America's largest swallow, is a swift and skilled flyer: The birds eat, drink, and even bathe on the wing. The species is part of a group of birds known as aerial insectivores—birds that feed on airborne insects—which includes swifts, swallows, the Chuck-will's-widow, and the Olive-sided Flycatcher, to name a few. These birds have all shown steep population declines in the past few decades. Widespread pesticide use and collisions with man-made structures are among the factors contributing to this species' decline. In addition, aggressive introduced species such as House Sparrows and European Starlings out-compete martins for nest sites. Threats to Purple Martin

Pesticides, particularly the newer neonicotinoid insecticides, are a serious threat to the Purple Martin and other aerial insectivores, both on their breeding grounds and their wintering grounds in South America. A Watch List species, Purple Martins are considered a species of special concern in many U.S. states and in Canada. Purple Martins are cavity-nesters, normally reusing old woodpecker holes, but populations in the eastern part of the U.S. depend almost exclusively on manmade housing. The practice of removing dead trees in many forests has eliminated natural cavities used by the martin. That, along with the competition from the introduced starlings and sparrows, has further reduced the availability of naturally occurring cavities. Purple Martins are vulnerable to unseasonably cold or wet weather. A sudden cold snap lasting more than three or four days can decimate flying insect numbers, starving the birds to death. Sign up for ABC's eNews to learn how you can help protect birds

Purple Martins and People Unlike many native birds, the Purple Martin thrives in close proximity to humans. paoletti curtains irelandThis relationship dates back to the Native Americans, who hung empty gourds for Purple Martin nests. beaded door curtains homebaseMost people welcome Purple Martin neighbors, as these birds are agile hunters and eat large quantities of winged insects. piha curtains(However, contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes do not form a large part of their diet.)john lewis curtains pelmets Purple Martins exhibit a very high level of site fidelity. Once they have bred successfully at a specific location, the same individuals return year after year.

Purple Martins are long-distance migrants, wintering in the Amazon Basin along waterways and wetlands. They can also be found at ABC-supported Barba Azul Reserve in Bolivia during the winter, along with other North American migrants such as Bobolink and Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Purple Martins head north again with the warming spring temperatures that signal the emergence of flying insects, setting up nesting territories in open spaces close to wetlands, swamps, or wet meadows, where large numbers of insects breed. These are highly social birds, usually nesting in good-sized colonies. After the breeding season is completed, they form large, noisy flocks, roosting and even migrating together. Donate to support ABC's conservation mission!For a comprehensive guide to our site, please see the Site Index.Honduras: Tell me it’s not fascism Private property is protected, human rights are rejected, disrespected, and neglected. This pic just says it all, eh?Meanwhile, here’s a quick round-up of some interesting bits and pieces:Venezuelan photographer Wendy Olivo reports that human rights abuses are rampant.

Festive Left Friday Blogging: Evo fashion watch, part umpteen So there I was, sifting through the Evo-pix on ABI’s website this week, when something caught my eye:He’s wearing something I’ve never seen before. What IS that, anyway?Oh, c’mon, Evo, don’t be shy…let’s have a good look at it… Chavecito puts the chill on Colombia “Played around when I was goneThen I got hip to what went onWhen I returned I left no doubtI kept my cool and threw you outAnd now you come with heart in handYou’re beggin’ me to understandI see you’re ripe … FARC denies financing Correa campaign; “smoking gun” video is a fake Oh look, I found another bomb-proof magic laptop in a FARC camp! And look, there’s video in it proving that the FARC financed the election campaigns of Hugo Chávez, Rafael Correa, and a host of other leftist LatAm leaders… Bolivia: Evil exile Goni is financing opposition parties There’s a reason for this graffiti, folks…actually, more like 68 (dead) and 40 (injured) reasons…and now the assassin is sending Yankee greenbacks to the enemies of Evo.

Um…isn’t this brand of “democracy” illegal? As the Bolivian general elections of December … …for these two fat fascist fucks meeting today in Peru:Yep, that’s right…El Gordo passes muster with the certifiably insane Avigdor Lieberman, who loves him anyone who’ll oppress and slander innocent indigenous people. Twobreakfasts fits that bill, you betcha. Honduran media invent two US senators “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”Three days ago, the sharp-eyed Revolter at BoRev was flummoxed by a supposed US senator he couldn’t account for in a Honduran press article. Well, last night it came out in Venezuela’s … Hezbollah is in Venezuela! Or at least, so says Avigdor Lieberman–a highly paranoid nutcase who seems to have hijacked the levers of power in Israel, though he was certainly not elected. Remind you of anyone? Anyhow, for those wondering if there are nefarious Lebanese … Spike Lee does the Wrong Thing Oh, lordy, lordy, good Gordie.