Purple Martin Love?

The Purple Martins in our growing colony are building nests inside their community housing options. We have a variety of nesting areas including apartment type houses, and gourds of various styles. What makes one pair decide one type of nest site over the other is still a mystery to me.

A few days ago I filmed the Martins and captured what appears (at least to me) couples engaged in various levels of communication.

Honey, I’m Home – How was your day, Dear?

The “We Like Our Space” Couple

The “I Love You”, ~ “I Love You, More!” Pair

“Babe, I told you we should have rented an apartment with a FRONT PORCH!”

The “Guys” deciding they need a “Boys Day Out” to bond over dealing with their “brood-y” mates

Why might I have titled the above photos as I did? Try to interpret the following interactions:

Was that a mid-argument Kiss?

Has Hubby decided to give up?

Well, apparently he didn’t back off fast enough – and gets a beak in the butt!

“OK, Dear. You win. I will work harder to bring nesting materials back home in a timely manner!”

I TOLD YOU I’d work harder, and No, I don’t want a make-up kiss!

Who really knows what these lovely birds are thinking – but, I am certain they have unique personalities. I also believe that mated pairs have so much vested in each other to achieve their goals of raising healthy chicks that they do experience emotions, highs and lows, stress and joy. One additional observation I have about these Swallow is that they often appear to be absolutely exhilarated having the talent of surfing the wind gusts that Spring brings to our area.