Purple martins in eastern North America are almost entirely dependent on human-provided nest boxes and gourds, making management practices critical to their welfare.
Purple martins nesting in poorly managed houses face multiple welfare threats. Invasive species competition can prevent establishment or destroy active nests. Inadequate predator protection exposes eggs and chicks to predation. Houses without ventilation in hot weather cause heat stress and chick death. Active landlord management is directly welfare-positive: weekly nest checks enable removal of competing species nests, early detection of infestations, and heat stress mitigation.