Purple Martins are large swallows that live in the New World. These migrant birds winter in South America and breed across North America. 

The species is known for its near-reliance on manmade structures for their nesting. This is especially true for Purple Martins that nest across eastern portions of North America, where they nest almost exclusively in houses erected and maintained by enthusiasts, sometimes known as Purple Martin Landlords. 

This embroidered hat was made for anyone who keeps Purple Martin (banding code PUMA) nest boxes and maintains a PUMA colony. The design is shown here on a distressed-style baseball hat. Text reading PURPLE MARTIN LANDLORD flanks a row of three birdhouses.

Sure, a lot of us miss birding with our buddies. But in the time of Covid-19, quarantine, and social distancing, it's time to bird on our own. For those who never liked birding with others anyway, it's your time to shine. This funny birder slogan shirt reads Does not bird well with others. The design uses a grunge-style font and the text is accompanied by a skull and crossbones.

As we birders face this unprecedented global pandemic, many of us are turning to our local patch -- our own backyards, often -- to satisfy our need to see birds.

Patch birding is the best. You can get a real feel about trends and the movement of birds from the repeated study in one location. I've been enjoying the birds in our yard. Our feeders are still attracting Painted Buntings (they'll leave soon). The Indigo Buntings are gone, but loud and gregarious Great Crested Flycatchers have moved in, hunting for insects all over the lawn between perching on the feeder poles. A trio of Red-bellied Woodpeckers are regulars, loudly swooping in each time I refill the peanut feeders. Titmice, parulas, and gnatcatchers are feeding young, and the Northern Cardinals will be soon, too. It's all good fun.

However, when you're obligated to bird your patch (or yard) and only your patch (or yard), it can drive a birder just a little bit crazy. This funny text slogan for birders likens patch birding to insanity. The full quote, shown here on a quarantine-appropriate adult beverage flask, reads:

This text slogan design is also available on t-shirts and other gifts for birders.

It's spring in the northern hemisphere, and birds are on the move! While our winged friends head north to their breeding grounds, some birders plan to maximize their time out in the field looking for them. There's a lot to love about migration!

But this magical time has its problems. The frustration of missed targets. Poor looks because of leafed-out trees. Crazy weather. Warbler neck.

The bad definitely does NOT outweigh the good, but sometimes its nice to be able to vent frustrations. This funny birder shirt alternates text reading I LOVE MIGRATION with I HATE MIGRATION. Of course the love wins out in the end. Enjoy this time, birders!

What's a nyctophile, and what does it have to do with owls? A nytophile is a person, animal, or thing that prefers darkness. It can also mean one that prefers the nighttime. The fact that most owls are nocturnal makes this 5-star word apply to most species of owl. Maybe it describes you too?

This fun design for night owls or owl lovers features a wide-eyed un-tufted owl (maybe a Northern Saw-whet?) flying with wide eyes in a starry night sky.

This original owl design is shown here on a black kid's shirt. You can also find this design on a variety of t-shirt styles as well as gifts and novelty items here: Nyctophile.

The Carolina Parakeet was once the only native parrot once found in parts of the United States. The range covered the eastern states into the midwest and plains states. The Carolina Parakeet went extinct in 1918.

Today's featured shirt has a image painted by John James Audubon in 1832 or 1833. The illustration has a flock of the colorful and gregarious birds against a backdrop of natural foliage.

The Audubon image is shown here on a Women's American Apparel Fine Jersey T-Shirt, a best-seller made of 100% Fine Jersey cotton.