Beautiful flamingos are another famous Florida icon that might come to mind when you think of the Sunshine State. As most of you probably know, very few Floridians or visitors ever see flamingos in the wild here.
It's been long debated whether or not flamingos are native to Florida. Turns out there is documentation that back in the 1800s there were thousands of flocks here. Overhunting all but wiped them out. As of 2018 it was finally settled, flamingos are now believed to be indigenous to Florida. Now that their status has changed, there will be more habitat protections put in place.
There is currently a large colony in the Florida Everglades and another colony that has been spotted in Palm Beach County every spring. There have been a few more sightings in recent years in other areas of the state as well.
They are beautiful birds, and I hope that one will come knocking on your door one day! I have only seen them in zoos. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, but that's not likely. I've only seen them at zoos and attractions too. Hugs!
DeleteFlamingos are beautiful. I hope your dream comes true to see the flamingos on your beaches and in your backyard. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThat would be so amazing, but I'm sure it will take many years before they are a common sight, and that's if it ever happens at all.
DeleteThey sure are pretty.
ReplyDeleteFlamingos are my favorite bird ever!
DeleteI do hope they can reestablish in their native lands. The thought of seeing a huge flock of them is breathtaking. A big sigh at greedy, shortsighted hunters. The world over.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on all the above!
DeleteThey are an extraordinary bird. I love seeing them but it has been a very long time. Loved the photo! Hope they get the protection they need.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope so too Denise!
DeleteI have seen them in our local zoos. They are so pretty and elegant!
ReplyDeleteI agree Angie, they are my all time favorite bird!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThe flamingos are beautiful birds. It would be great to see them make a come back.
Take care, enjoy your day!
I sure hope they will be able to! Enjoy your day too Eileen!
DeleteYour birds are just gorgeous Martha!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosalea, I agree!
DeleteI had no idea that the flamingos were almost hunted to extinction in Florida, Martha. So glad these magnificent birds have made a comeback.
ReplyDeleteMe too and thankfully they are protected now!
DeleteI believe the American flamingos winter in South America. They are considered migratory birds, aren't they? Or do you find them in Florida year around? We had a rogue white great flamingo here near corpus for two years. I can't remember what part of the world it originated...(a zoo escapee).
ReplyDeleteIt was a Greater Flamingo...from Africa
Deletehttp://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com/2016/10/an-african-bird-making-its-home-along.html
What an amazing sighting Anni and what a gorgeous bird! Flamingos are considered non-migratory but some of the info out there is a bit confusing. The information I read about the colony in the Everglades said they keep coming back every year. I'd call that migrating wouldn't you?
DeleteSuch unique and beautiful birds. I'm enjoying learning about the birds in Florida.
ReplyDeleteThey really are Cathy and I'm glad you are enjoying the posts. :)
DeleteI've always had a thing for flamingos. They were part of my classroom decor when I taught highschool for years and years. I even had the pink plastic ones, just for fun.
ReplyDeleteI have a thing for them too Nance. I collect them, especially vintage Florida flamingo souvenirs. :)
DeleteI find flamingos so beautiful. This is a great shot and good entry in your A-Z!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanie. They are my favorite birds!
DeleteSuch a tropical icon, I would love to see flamingos strolling around freely! I am glad they are now protected, such an incredibly beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteCan you just imagine seeing them out on your dock hanging around with Freddy?!
DeleteThey are just gorgeous! x
ReplyDeleteI completely agree Vix!
DeleteThey are truly unique and beautiful birds! Love that pink colour!
ReplyDeleteWho could resist a big pink bird?!
DeleteI do love flamings, the only ones I'se seen have been in zoos. They should be a protected bird. I've also seen many fllamingos in yard decorations. My neighbors across the street have some in their flower bed. They do remind us of summer and warm climates.
ReplyDeleteI love them too Ma. Lots of people have those plastic ones in their yards here. They are fun to see.
DeleteAh flamingos!
ReplyDeleteThe best! :)
DeleteI have only seen many times the flock that lives in Jungle gardens, they are amazing and i have many photos of them. I would love to see them out in our state like the Egrets and Cranes and ibis. maybe one day. i had no idea they were ever wild here.. why in the world would people hunt them!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you mentioned that, somehow in all the years I've been here I've never been to Jungle Gardens. I need to go! It would be so great to see them out roaming free here but I doubt if it will happen during our lifetime but you never know! Oh, sadly the flamingos were hunted for their beautiful feathers :(
DeleteNever seen them in the wild only in a zoo in Fla. They are pretty.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen them in the wild either but I sure would love to.
Deletebeautiful...
ReplyDeleteI suppose they were slaughtered for their feathers, to adorn lady's hats and etc.
Mmmmmm, if they were all over the place, what would be the size of their "waste"? -evil grin- I know, only I, would think of that. >,-)
💛🌼🍋🌻🍋🌼💛
Yes, sadly they were hunted for their feathers :(
DeleteThey are such a unique bird...I wish they visited us every now and then...lol
ReplyDeleteThey really are and I sure wish they would visit me too! :)
DeleteI didn't know they were rare to see in the wild there. Such unusual birds.
ReplyDeleteYep, I've lived here my entire life and have never seen one in the wild, hopefully someday.
DeleteI've never seen a flamingo in real life. How beautiful they are!!!! ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteI hope you will be able to see them someday Andrea, they are amazing!
DeleteI can't imagine hunting them; did people EAT them? They are so delightfully colored and elegant. They don't look real, more like a cartoon bird. Hope they can make a come back!!
ReplyDeleteThey are so gorgeous! Sadly there were hunted for their feathers. :(
DeleteBeautiful birds, I have seen them in Busch Gardens.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the information. Again. a lesson for me.
That's where I took the photo, but I've seen them at quite a few different places in captivity here. I'm glad I'm being informative in these posts! :)
DeleteThis reminds me of the old Florida Lottery commercial: "Walk this way to 7-11, follow the flamingo, walk this way." (I"ve no idea why that jingle's been stuck in my head all these years.)
ReplyDeleteI don't remember that one Myra, but now you have me curious. I'm going to have to go try to look it up.
DeleteI found lots of funny stuff but couldn't find that one. Maybe it will come to me sooner or later.
DeleteWe love the mingos!!! We had a pink flamingo Christmas Tree on year.
ReplyDeleteI bet it was beautiful, I would have loved to see it!
DeleteA beautiful bird and so pretty to see. The only ones I've ever seen are the plastic versions that people use for lawn ornaments. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are gorgeous Bill. I hope you'll get to see one in person someday.
DeleteThey are beautiful birds, and as we all learned from Walt Disney, they make great croquet mallets!
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten all about that until you mentioned it! :D
DeleteGoodness, is there ANYTHING that man won't hunt? Why would they kill flamingos? Surely not to eat them, and I have never seen one stuffed and mounted either.
ReplyDeleteSadly Ginny they were killed strictly for their beautiful pink feathers. :(
DeleteSuch gorgeous birds. The colour is incredible!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree Marie!
DeleteOh Martha, Jess LOVES flamingos! They are such a funny, unique, and wonderful bird. They are one of the most beautiful birds to me. I have only seen them at the Zoo, and their long skinny legs crack me up. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I agree with everything you said Sheri! Not to mention magnificent and majestic. They are my all time favorite bird. I also collect vintage Florida souvenir flamingos. I love everything about them!
DeleteI've read that the pink in their feathers come from their diet of shrimp! I've only seen them in the zoos (and, of course, the plastic lawn ornaments!)
ReplyDeleteYep, that's supposedly where their color comes from - but I eat a lot of shrimp and I don't look the least bit rosey lol!
DeleteHa, ha; you have to eat the shrimp peels!
DeleteNope, not doing it lol!
DeleteFlamingos are so elegant and beautiful. The only ones we ever see are plastic ones stuck on someone's lawn when they are celebrating an important birthday.
ReplyDeleteWe see a lot of those around here too lol!
DeleteHopefully their numbers will bounce back.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope so, but it will probably take many years.
DeleteThey are such cool birds! I hope their number grows.
ReplyDeleteThey are the coolest ever! I hope their numbers grow too. It's looking good so far although nothing drastic yet.
DeleteSuch beautiful and interesting birds and one that probably everyone recognizes.
ReplyDeleteThey're my favorite birds. :)
DeleteThey'll always be 'mingoes' in our house, which is the way my daughter said the word when she was small. I think they are so beautiful and so unusual.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cute, I love the mingoes too! :)
DeleteFlamingos are so beautiful...I have only seen them in the zoo, as I have never been to Florida or Africa. Did you ever see the film, 'Out of Africa'? I loved the scene where Robert Redford takes Meryl Streep up in the airplane, and they fly above a flying flock of flamingos. Truly lovely.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever saw it, but of course now I will have to watch it! You have to come visit Florida one of these days, and not just the theme park scene.
DeleteGlad to hear that is finally settled! They are such beautiful birds! Seeing them roam the beaches would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteI know, it would be so beautiful!
DeleteFlamingos are just so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I totally agree! :)
DeleteWhat a fun post. I honestly never thought about where they were from. How interesting! I'd love to see more of them in the wild too; they are lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt really would be amazing to see them around our state, hopefully we'll be around to see them become more common at least.
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