The Purple Martin has been a California Species of Special Concern since 1978. Its population and geographic range have declined substantially due to competition with the European Starling, snag nesting habitat loss, bridge construction disturbance, utility pole replacement, and insecticide-induced loss of prey. A statewide status assessment has not been conducted since 2008 and is needed to identify conservation priorities and management needs. We are leading a statewide survey in 2025 using specialized methods developed for a 2009 Northern California survey. Our review of 2011-2024 eBird records identified 234 known breeding sites. We will re-survey 28 of the 2009 survey sites to determine changes in occupancy and populations and 58 additional eBird sites to establish baseline populations. We will develop a habitat-population model to estimate the numbers of potential breeders in areas not accessible to eBirders. Results from the survey, eBird, and habitat-population model will be combined to estimate the statewide population. Our review of eBird records indicates that martins are concentrated in coastal conifer forests, and they nest mainly in snags (43% of sites), utility structures (32%), and bridges (17%), each of which has unique management threats that should be addressed to conserve the species.

Daniel Airola is a certified Wildlife Biologist who has practiced in northern California for 45 years. He has worked for land management agencies, environmental consulting firms, and and an independent researcher. He has worked on Purple Martin research and conservation in California for over 30 years and co-chairs the California Purple Martin Working Group He has published over 90 studies consisting mostly of quantified natural history and community science-based research addressing population status, reproductive success, habitat requirements, and migration patterns at-risk birds, including the Tricolored Blackbird, Yellow-billed Magpie, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Swainson's Hawk, Turkey Vulture, box-nesting and migratory songbirds, and wintering diving ducks.