What does the Purple Martin song sound like?

Progne subis

Song Common

Play the real Purple Martin song, the "prrt-prrt-chu-gheer gheer", and learn what to listen for.

“prrt-prrt-chu-gheer gheer”

What the Purple Martin song sounds like

Soft, throaty gurgles and chirrs delivered in series, most loudly at sunrise when males circle their colony.

“prrt-prrt-chu-gheer gheer”

Birders often file this one under Gurgling Dawn Song.

How to find the bird singing it

Open country near water, towns, farmland and wetlands—anywhere with broad aerial foraging space and suitable nesting cavities or multi-compartment martin houses.

Adult Male Plumage: Entire body glossy blue-purple with blackish wings and tail; no light belly.
Adult Female & Immature: Pale gray throat and belly contrast with darker purple-blue cap, back and wings.
Forked Tail: Shallow but noticeable fork aids agile, swooping flight.

When you'll hear it

Breeding (Apr–Aug)

Occupies nest boxes and gourds; adult males glossy purple, frequent dawn song flights.

Migration (Aug–Oct / Jan–Apr)

Forms huge evening roosts in reed beds and urban towers; plumage worn and molting.

Non-breeding (Oct–Jan)

In South American lowlands; mixes with other swallow species over forest clearings and rivers.

Don’t confuse it with

Birds whose song gets mistaken for this one. Play them back to back.

Tree Swallow

Smaller size and slimmer build

Barn Swallow

Longer, deeper forked tail with streamers

Purple Martin song FAQ

What does a Purple Martin song sound like?

Soft, throaty gurgles and chirrs delivered in series, most loudly at sunrise when males circle their colony. Birders write it as "prrt-prrt-chu-gheer gheer".

How do I tell a Purple Martin from a Tree Swallow by ear?

Tree Swallow: Smaller size and slimmer build; White entire underparts vs. martin’s dusky belly (males) or partial gray (females).

When is the best time to hear the Purple Martin song?

Arrives in breeding areas from late February (south) through May (north). Fledglings depart colonies by late July, and most birds are en route to South America by early September.

More Purple Martin sounds

Purple Martin: the full species pageEvery sound we have, field marks, habitat and similar species.How to Learn Bird Songs by Ear: A Gentle Two-Week MethodLearning bird songs by ear sounds intimidating until you realize you already know a few — that robin in your yard, the chickadee at the feeder. Here is the gentle on-ramp: seven birds to learn first, a memory trick that works even if you cannot carry a tune, and a ten-minute-a-day rhythm that turns spring noise into named neighbors.How to Learn Bird Calls Fast: A 7-Day Spring PlanYou have seven days. You want seven birds. This is the plan: one new song per day, a mnemonic per bird, ten minutes you steal from your coffee break. Sunday-to-Sunday, you walk outside and a name lands in your head before you have time to think about it.The Dawn Chorus: Which Birds Sing First Each Morning (And Why)Every morning, as the first light touches the sky, birds like the American Robin and Northern Cardinal begin their symphony. But why do they choose dawn for their most vigorous singing?