Landlords have their fingers crossed for arriving purple martins
<p>Oklahoma landlords have their fingers crossed for purple martins as the birds return this season for nesting. Bad weather last year took a toll on the birds in many parts of the state.</p>
<p>Oklahomans know these long-distance migrants from their distinctive white bellies with dark upper upper-body that often flock near water and chitter-chatter as they chase flying insects.</p>
<p>Females and first-year males, called sub-adults, are bluish-gray with light gray throats and breasts. Mature males are a distinctive dark purple.</p>
<p>Some are more familiar with the birds’ autumn behavior. In August, as they leave their nests and flock to fly south to South and Central America, they gather in flocks of tens of thousands. Tulsa Audubon Society hosts an evening “Roost Watch” annually for people to view the gathering of 100,000 or more birds.</p>
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