Description
Provide a comfortable home in your yard for purple martins to colonize!
The complete Purple Martin SuperGourd System!
The 10" plastic SuperGourds were designed and developed by James R. Hill III, Founder and Executive Director of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. SuperGourds are engineered based on 20 years of research into the breeding biology of purple martins.
The one-piece, plastic SuperGourds offer a threaded access port which is covered by a screw-on cap. The sizeable port allows a human hand access to the gourd for nest checks or cleaning. Its 45° angle enables landlords to view nestlings regularly. The large, molded-in rain canopy doubles as a perching platform, while another series of molded-in ribs on top of the canopy add texture to the plastic. This permits martins to perch comfortably without slipping. The one-piece body has no seams, so no rain will leak in, and seven 5/16" drain holes provide a rapid exit for any rain that may blow in through the starling resistant, crescent shaped entrance hole.
SuperGourds are blow-molded in white opaque, high-density polyethylene plastic to reflect sunlight and keep interior temperatures down. They won't rot, peel, split, or crack out in the elements and won't break if accidentally dropped. Because they are molded with UV inhibitors added to the plastic, they have a long life expectancy with little maintenance.
SuperGourd System Includes:
- Sixteen SuperGourds - Your choice of round or crescent starling resistant entrance holes (SREH)
- SuperGourd Rack System - Holds up to 16 SuperGourds
- Pole System - 16.5 feet steel pole (14' above ground), winch and ground socket
Deluxe 16 Rack System with Gourds (AAA16): Includes a complete AAA16 gourd rack plus 16 SuperGourds, your choice of gourd types: 16 Round-holed SuperGourds (SGR) or 16 Crescent-holed SuperGourds (SGC). This rack features a 2-inch-square, high-tensile strength aluminum, two-piece pole that is 14 feet tall above the ground when installed. The gourd hub and arms accommodate 16 gourds that raise and lower with a 4-part pulley, nylon rope lanyard system.
This rack will accommodate any vertical-hanging gourds, natural or plastic and now includes 16 aluminum GMAs (gourd hanging arms). This gourd rack system is absolutely top-of-the-line in construction, materials, and innovative design. It features a four-part pulley system for amazingly easy raising and lowering; an all-aluminum hub with nylon glide tabs for squeak-free operation; eight, high-strength aluminum gourd-mount angle arms pre-drilled with gourd-hanging holes; a polyester rope; an aluminum rope cleat; and a plastic pole cap. Square poles are superior in strength to customary round martin poles. A square pole also makes it easy to align gourds correctly when raising and lowering the system. Includes two 48-inch aluminum top perches, a 48-inch ground stake, and all the hardware necessary for assembly (3 bags of concrete mix not included). An optional pole guard (PGS) that fits a square pole is available.
Crescent-holed SuperGourds (1-3/16” Starling-resistant crescent-shaped entrance hole) for Purple Martins (SGC): This, the “Crescent” SuperGourd, is identical to the other SuperGourd models, but has a 1-3/16” high, crescent-shaped SREH (starling-resistant entrance hole) designed to prevent cavity entry by all but the smallest of cavity-stealing European Starlings.
Round-holed SuperGourds (2-1/8” diameter entry hole) for Purple Martins (SGR): The round-holed SuperGourd is a one-piece, 10-inch-diameter plastic gourd for housing nesting Purple Martins. It has a molded-in, threaded access port, with a watertight screw-on cap. The SuperGourd also features a large, molded-in rain canopy that doubles as a perching platform.
Note: This item ships dimensionally oversized. Additional shipping charges may apply depending on order size and destination zone.
SuperGourd Options (Available at checkout)
Pole Guards - Climbing Animal Barrier 2 Styles Available!
Pole Guard (Climbing Animal Barrier) for 2” Square Poles (PGS) - Fits the 2" square pole that comes with this system. Will prevent snakes, raccoons, cats, squirrels, and opossums from climbing your 2” square poles and predating your martins. Does not require removal prior to conducting a nest check because it is mounted below the lanyard cleat.
EZ OFF Pole Guard (Climbing Animal Barrier) for 2” Square Poles (EZ OFF2): Because they are mounted higher than other guards, the EZ OFF pole guards are hinged and designed to be easily removed prior to lowering your gourd rack for a nest check. Will fit the three 2-inch square gourd rack poles we offer (SV8, DGR12, AAA-16). Will prevent snakes, raccoons, cats, squirrels, and opossums from climbing your 2”-square poles and predating your martins.
Clip-On Porches - Plastic Ribbed Porches for Crescent SuperGourds - These optional, ribbed plastic porches bolt securely on both the inside and outside of crescent-holed SuperGourds allowing martins easier entry through the snug, starling-resistant entries. Porch is 2-7/8” long by 3-1/2” wide. We recommend that these porches be secured flush with the bottom of the crescent hole using threaded 10-32 x 3/4” bolts and nuts (included), and that you fill any gaps with 100% silicone caulking. Porches come pre-drilled, with two nuts and bolts per porch pair, and include attachment instructions.
This porch will allow easier access by martins into the crescent SuperGourd, while still resisting entry by European Starlings. The clip-on porches also allow martins to sit directly in front of their entrance hole, where they can keep an eye on their nest and the outside world at the same time.
Insert Traps - This metal insert trap is specifically designed for use in both 2-1/8” round-holed and 1-3/16” crescent-holed SuperGourds. It will not fit in any other brand of plastic or natural gourd. It is highly effective at capturing any House Sparrow or European Starling that may start to build a nest in a SuperGourd. It features an easy snap-in, snap-out installation that does not require tools and will not damage the gourd. It has a high-visibility, powder-coated shutter so you can tell from a distance if the trap is sprung. It is extremely well made with an aluminum body and zinc-plated hardware. It uses non-breakable nylon mounting clips (extras included) and comes fully assembled with mounting and operating instructions. Dimensions (H x W x L) : 5.5" x 4" x 5.5"
Extra SuperGourd Caps - Extra 120mm screw-on caps fit all three entrance-hole types of SuperGourd. Caps are made with UV inhibitors for long life in the sun. They have a white cardboard liner to block incoming light. These caps are the perfect replacement for lost or broken caps.
