In this article, the reader will be introduced to the colorful world of purple birds found in Virginia. From the invasive European Starlings to the common Rock Pigeons, each bird possesses unique characteristics and an enchanting purple hue. The Purple Finch showcases a raspberry to purple head, breast, and back, while the magnificent Purple Martins boast long tapered wings and a forked tail. Meanwhile, the Little Blue Herons exhibit a stunning combination of slate-gray body and a purple-maroon head and neck. Last but not least, the Boat-tailed Grackles leave a lasting impression with their long, V-shaped tail and the mesmerizing blue or purple shine of the males in the sunlight. Explore the vibrant world of these six purple birds found right here in Virginia.
European Starling
Description
The European Starling is a medium-sized bird that belongs to the starling family. It has a sleek and stocky body with a short tail. The adult starlings have black feathers with a metallic green and purple sheen. They have a short, pointed bill that is yellow during the breeding season and dark in winter. The European Starling is known for its vocal abilities and can imitate a wide range of sounds, including human speech.
Range
Originally native to Europe, the European Starling was introduced to North America in the 19th century. It has since spread across the continent and can now be found throughout the United States and Canada. In Virginia, the European Starling is a common sight and is often considered an invasive species due to its aggressive behavior and competition with native birds for nesting sites and food.
Identification
The European Starling is relatively easy to identify due to its distinctive plumage and behavior. The adults have glossy black feathers with a purple and green sheen. During the breeding season, they develop bright yellow beaks and eye rings. Their wings are triangular and pointed, and they have a short tail. Juveniles have a duller plumage with a speckled appearance.
Habitat
European Starlings are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from urban areas to agricultural fields and open woodlands. They are often seen in large flocks, roosting in trees or buildings during the night and foraging for food during the day. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat a wide range of foods, including insects, fruits, seeds, and garbage.
Behavior
European Starlings are highly social birds and are often seen in large flocks known as murmurations. They have a wide repertoire of vocalizations, including whistles, clicks, and mimicry of other birds’ songs. They are also known for their acrobatic flight displays, with groups of starlings flying in synchronized patterns, twisting and turning in the sky.
Breeding
European Starlings are cavity nesters and will nest in a variety of natural and artificial sites, including tree cavities, nest boxes, and even buildings. They typically lay between four to six eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. The young starlings fledge within three weeks and become independent shortly after.
Conservation Status
The European Starling is not considered a conservation concern in North America due to its widespread and abundant population. However, its introduction and aggressive behavior have had negative impacts on native bird species in some areas. Efforts are being made to control their numbers and reduce their impact on native ecosystems.
Rock Pigeon
Description
Rock Pigeons, also known as Common Pigeons, are medium-sized birds with a compact body and short legs. They have a grayish body with a purple iridescence around their necks. Their wings are broad and pointed, and their tail is long and squared-off. Rock Pigeons have a small head with a round, dark eye. They have a distinctive cooing call that is commonly associated with their species.
Range
Originally native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, Rock Pigeons have been introduced to every continent, including North America. They are one of the most widespread and abundant bird species in the world. In Virginia, Rock Pigeons can be found in both urban and rural areas, often nesting on buildings and cliffs.
Identification
Rock Pigeons are easily recognizable due to their distinctive plumage and shape. They have a gray body with a purple iridescence around their necks, which is more visible in direct sunlight. Their wings are gray with two black bars, and their tail is gray with a dark band at the end. They have a small, round head with a dark eye and a pale gray beak.
Habitat
Rock Pigeons are highly adaptable birds and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including cities, parks, farmland, and coastal cliffs. They are known for their ability to thrive in urban environments and are often seen perched on buildings and ledges. They typically nest on flat surfaces, such as ledges or tree branches, and build a simple nest of twigs and grass.
Behavior
Rock Pigeons are social birds that often form large flocks. They are primarily ground foragers and feed on a variety of seeds, grains, and insects. They are known for their ability to find their way home over long distances and have been used as messenger pigeons in the past. They have a gentle and calm demeanor, and their cooing calls can often be heard in urban areas.
Breeding
Rock Pigeons are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. They typically breed throughout the year, with peak breeding seasons in spring and summer. They build simple nests of twigs and grass and lay one or two white eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. The young pigeons, known as squabs, fledge within four to six weeks.
Conservation Status
Rock Pigeons are not considered a conservation concern and their populations are stable. They have successfully adapted to human-dominated environments and are often seen as a familiar sight in cities around the world. However, their populations can sometimes become a nuisance in urban areas due to their roosting and nesting habits.
Purple Finch
Description
The Purple Finch is a small songbird that is known for its vibrant plumage. The adult male Purple Finch has a raspberry to purple head, breast, and back, with brown wings and tail. The female has a brown and white streaked plumage with a white eyebrow and a touch of purple on her head. Both males and females have a conical seed-eating bill, which is specialized for cracking open seeds.
Range
Purple Finches are native to North America and can be found throughout the eastern and western parts of the continent. In Virginia, they are a common breeding species during the summer months. They typically migrate to the southern United States and Mexico during the winter.
Identification
The Purple Finch is easily identified by its plumage and bill shape. The adult male has a vibrant raspberry to purple head, breast, and back, with brown wings and tail. The female has a streaked brown and white plumage with a white eyebrow and a touch of purple on her head. Both males and females have a conical seed-eating bill, which is specialized for cracking open seeds.
Habitat
Purple Finches can be found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous and coniferous forests, as well as gardens and parks. They prefer areas with dense vegetation where they can find food and build nests. During the breeding season, they are often found in higher elevations, but they can also be found at lower elevations during the winter months.
Behavior
Purple Finches are primarily seed eaters and have a specialized beak for cracking open seeds. They feed on a variety of seeds, including those from trees, shrubs, and weeds. They are often seen clinging to branches or hanging upside down while feeding. They have a sweet, melodious song that is often heard during the breeding season, and they are known for their acrobatic flight displays.
Breeding
Purple Finches are monogamous and form pair bonds during the breeding season. They build cup-shaped nests made of twigs, grass, and other plant materials. The female lays between 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about two weeks. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge within two weeks. Purple Finches may raise multiple broods in a single breeding season.
Conservation Status
The Purple Finch is not considered a threatened species and its populations are generally stable. However, like many other bird species, they face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation. Conservation efforts to protect their natural habitats and promote conservation practices are important to ensure their long-term survival.
Purple Martin
Description
The Purple Martin is a medium-sized swallow known for its broad-chested body, long tapered wings, and forked tail. The adult males have a dark purple plumage with glossy blue-black wings and tail. The females and juveniles have a dusky gray-brown plumage with white underparts. Both males and females have a slender, pointed bill.
Range
Purple Martins are native to North America and breed across much of the continent. In Virginia, they are common summer residents, arriving in late spring to breed and raising their young. During the winter months, they migrate to South America.
Identification
Purple Martins are easily identified by their distinctive plumage and shape. The adult males have a dark purple plumage with glossy blue-black wings and tail. They have a broad-chested body and long tapered wings, which give them an elegant appearance in flight. Females and juveniles have a dusky gray-brown plumage with white underparts.
Habitat
Purple Martins are highly dependent on human-made structures for nesting. They are known for their habit of nesting in artificial nest boxes, which are specifically designed to attract them. They typically nest in colonies, with several pairs of martins nesting close together in a single location. They often choose open areas, such as fields, meadows, and near water bodies, for their nesting sites.
Behavior
Purple Martins are agile fliers and are often seen performing aerial acrobatics while catching insects in mid-air. They feed exclusively on insects and can consume thousands of insects per day. They are highly social birds and are known for their communal roosting behavior, with large flocks gathering together at night to roost. They communicate through a series of chattering and twittering calls.
Breeding
Purple Martins are monogamous and form pair bonds during the breeding season. They build their nests in natural or artificial cavities, such as nest boxes, gourds, or tree cavities. The female lays four to six eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about two weeks. The young martins fledge within four weeks and become independent shortly after. Purple Martins may raise multiple broods in a single breeding season.
Conservation Status
The Purple Martin is not considered a threatened species and its populations are generally stable. However, their reliance on artificial nest boxes makes them vulnerable to changes in habitat and availability of nesting sites. Continued efforts to provide suitable nesting structures and protect their natural habitats are crucial for their conservation.
Little Blue Heron
Description
The Little Blue Heron is a medium-sized heron with a slate-gray body and a purple-maroon head and neck during the breeding season. Outside of the breeding season, both adults and juveniles have a bluish-gray plumage. They have a long, pointed bill that is dark in color. The juveniles have a completely white plumage, making them easily distinguishable from the adults.
Range
Little Blue Herons are native to the southeastern United States, including Virginia. They prefer freshwater and saltwater marshes, swamps, and coastal areas. They are often found in the same habitats as other heron species, such as the Great Blue Heron.
Identification
Little Blue Herons are easily identified by their distinctive plumage and size. During the breeding season, both adults and juveniles have a slate-gray body and a purple-maroon head and neck. Outside of the breeding season, both adults and juveniles have a bluish-gray plumage. They have a long, pointed bill that is dark in color. Juveniles have a completely white plumage, making them easily distinguishable from the adults.
Habitat
Little Blue Herons prefer wetland habitats, including freshwater and saltwater marshes, swamps, and coastal areas. They are often found foraging in shallow water, using their long bills to probe for fish, crustaceans, and insects. They can also be seen perched in trees or shrubs near water, waiting for prey to pass by.
Behavior
Little Blue Herons are typically solitary birds and are often seen foraging alone. They use their long, pointed bills to probe in the shallow water for prey, including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects. They are skilled hunters and can catch prey with quick and precise strikes. They often stand motionless for long periods of time, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Breeding
Little Blue Herons form breeding pairs during the breeding season. They build a nest made of sticks and vegetation in trees or shrubs near water. The female lays two to five pale blue eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about three weeks. The young herons fledge within six weeks and become independent shortly after. Little Blue Herons may raise multiple broods in a single breeding season.
Conservation Status
The Little Blue Heron is not considered a threatened species and its populations are generally stable. However, like many other heron species, they are vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation. Wetland conservation efforts are important for their long-term survival, as they rely on healthy wetland habitats for foraging and breeding.
Boat-tailed Grackle
Description
The Boat-tailed Grackle is a medium-sized blackbird with a long, V-shaped tail. The adult males have glossy black feathers with a blue or purple shine in the sun. They have yellow eyes and a long, slender bill. The adult females have a duller brown plumage with dark streaks. Both males and females have long legs and a strong, stocky build.
Range
Boat-tailed Grackles are native to the southeastern United States, including Virginia. They are commonly found in coastal areas, including salt marshes, estuaries, and mangroves. They are also known to frequent agricultural fields and urban areas, where they can find food and nesting sites.
Identification
Boat-tailed Grackles are easily identified by their plumage and shape. Adult males have glossy black feathers with a blue or purple shine in the sun. They have yellow eyes and a long, slender bill. Their tail is long and V-shaped, which gives them their name. Adult females have a duller brown plumage with dark streaks. Both males and females have long legs and a strong, stocky build.
Habitat
Boat-tailed Grackles are highly adaptable birds and can be found in a variety of habitats, including coastal areas, marshes, estuaries, agricultural fields, and urban areas. They are often seen near water, foraging for insects, crustaceans, seeds, and fruits. They will also search for food in open fields and scavenger for human leftovers in urban areas.
Behavior
Boat-tailed Grackles are social birds and are often seen in large flocks. They are highly vocal and have a distinctive, harsh call that is often heard in their habitats. They are skilled foragers and will feed on a wide range of foods. They are known for their ability to crack open shells and extract meat from crustaceans. They build cup-shaped nests made of twigs, grass, and mud, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Breeding
Boat-tailed Grackles are monogamous and form pair bonds during the breeding season. They build cup-shaped nests made of twigs, grass, and mud. The female lays three to five eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about two weeks. The young grackles fledge within three weeks and become independent shortly after. Boat-tailed Grackles may raise multiple broods in a single breeding season.
Conservation Status
The Boat-tailed Grackle is not considered a threatened species and its populations are generally stable. They are adaptable and have benefited from human-altered landscapes, such as coastal development and agricultural fields. However, loss of wetland habitats and alteration of coastal areas can pose a threat to their long-term survival. Conservation efforts to protect and restore their habitats are important for their conservation.