The 'PM Pod' Purple Martin SuperGourd | Troyer's Birds' Paradise Crescent SREH Single Gourd with Porch

The Experience

Twenty years of Purple Martin breeding biology research produced one clear conclusion — martins fledge more young in large, white gourds than they do in traditional aluminum housing. The PM Pod is the physical expression of that research. A single Troyer's SuperGourd with crescent SREH entrance, integrated rain canopy, attachable interior and exterior porches, and a 45-degree hand-access port that makes nest monitoring genuinely easy. One-piece high-density polyethylene construction with no seams, no joints, and no failure points. UV inhibitors molded directly into the plastic body. Seven base drainage holes. A threaded cap that seals the access port securely during active nesting. And a material density that keeps wind sway to a minimum — because a swaying gourd is a gourd martins hesitate to occupy. Whether you're building a new colony from scratch, expanding an existing rack system, or replacing a single gourd mid-season, The PM Pod delivers the research-backed housing geometry that Purple Martins actively prefer — one unit at a time.

Scientific Engineering

• Research-Based Design: The SuperGourd profile was engineered based on two decades of dedicated Purple Martin breeding biology research — research that documented measurably higher fledgling success rates in large white gourds compared to traditional aluminum compartment housing. The PM Pod is the direct product of that data.
• Crescent Starling-Resistant Entrance Hole (SREH): A precision crescent-shaped opening measuring 3"W x 1.125"H physically excludes European Starlings while admitting Purple Martins without restriction. Passive, permanent colony protection from the moment of installation.
• Molded Rain Canopy with Raised Perch Lines: A canopy molded directly above the entrance deflects precipitation away from the opening during active breeding season, while raised lines on the canopy surface provide martins with additional perching grip during approach and pre-entry behavior.
• Attachable Interior & Exterior Porches: Included porches attach to both the interior and exterior of the entrance, providing martins with expanded standing area and supporting natural pre-entry and post-landing behavior.
• 45-Degree Hand-Access Port: A generously sized access port positioned at a 45-degree angle on the side of the gourd allows the landlord full interior access for nest inspection, parasite management, egg counts, and end-of-season cleanout — with a perspective angle that makes viewing the nest interior genuinely comfortable. A threaded cap seals the port securely during active nesting.
• One-Piece HDPE Construction: The seamless, high-density polyethylene body eliminates joints, seams, and structural failure points — creating a weather-resistant shell that will not rot, peel, split, crack, or break if accidentally dropped, across decades of seasonal outdoor use.
• UV Inhibitors: UV-stabilizing compounds molded directly into the plastic body prevent UV degradation and maintain structural and aesthetic integrity across years of direct sun exposure.
• Seven Base Drainage Holes: Seven drainage holes at the base of the gourd allow accumulated water to exit rapidly, maintaining a dry nest interior throughout active breeding season regardless of precipitation.
• High-Density Weight: The HDPE construction produces a gourd heavier than standard plastic alternatives — significantly reducing wind sway during active colony season and supporting the stable nesting environment that Purple Martins require for consistent occupancy.
• White Exterior: The white gourd surface reflects solar radiation, reducing interior temperature buildup during peak summer heat and protecting nestlings from heat stress during the critical development window.

Boutique & Conservation Values

• Science-Backed Colony Infrastructure: The PM Pod is not a generic plastic gourd — it is the product of two decades of Purple Martin breeding biology research, refined through real-world colony data into the housing geometry that consistently outperforms alternatives in fledgling success rates.
• Single-Unit Flexibility: Available individually for landlords expanding an existing rack system, replacing end-of-life gourds, or building a custom colony configuration one Pod at a time — without committing to a full multi-gourd kit.
• Heritage Manufacturing: Proudly Made in the USA.

Specifications

• Gourd Diameter: 10.5"
• Gourd Height: 13.75"
• Entrance Hole Style: Crescent SREH
• Entrance Hole Dimensions: 3"W x 1.125"H
• Access Port: 45-degree angle, hand-sized, threaded cap included
• Drainage Holes: 7 base drainage holes
• Material: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Mounting: Rod or rack mount via 1/4" holes on cleanout panel axis (rod not included)
• Shipping Weight: 4 lbs.
• Country of Origin: Proudly Made in the USA
• ⚠️ Some Assembly Required