Flamingos Flock Back to Florida After a Century-Long Absence

For generations, the flamingo has been an unofficial mascot of Florida, but the real birds had vanished from the state for over a century. Now, there are signs that the iconic pink birds may be making a comeback.

In the early 1900s, flamingos were nearly wiped out in Florida due to overhunting to fuel the fashion industry's obsession with feathers. However, recent sightings have sparked hope that the flamingos could return to their former stomping grounds. Experts attribute this potential comeback to a massive push to restore the Florida Everglades, which they refer to as "flamingo heaven."

The signs of recovery are not a fluke, as scientists have reported growing flocks of flamingos across Florida Bay during the winter months. "The birds are the best measure of whether we're getting it right. And I think early reports from them are to keep up the good work," said Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director of Audubon Florida.

The flamingos' return got an unexpected boost in August 2023, when Hurricane Idalia swept across the Gulf, disrupting hundreds of traveling flamingos and scattering them across parts of the U.S. "They've realized that Florida is a place that was once theirs and could be again," Wraithmell explained. Now, the hope is that the flamingos will give breeding a go and truly make Florida their home once more.