purple martin

American  

noun

1. a large American swallow, Progne subis, the male of which is blue-black.

---

Etymology

Origin of purple martin

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45

Example Sentences

Before he even parked, Prum was calling out the names of birds he glimpsed or heard through the car window: osprey, purple martin, red-winged blackbird.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2019

The purple martin is a large, broad-winged swallow of sumptuous royal blue with a gurgling liquid song.

From The Guardian • Jul. 27, 2013

I don't know how stupid a man can get, but when he can't tell a purple martin from a starling that's got to be getting close to the record.

From Time Magazine Archive

Connecticut: All the shore birds; quail, purple martin.

From Our Vanishing Wild Life Its Extermination and Preservation by Hornaday, William Temple

The purple martin belongs to this family; it is common in the South but rare in the Northern States.

From Endurance Test or, How Clear Grit Won the Day by Douglas, Alan