Flamingos are flamboyant, funky and famous.
Who knew they are now considered Florida natives?
Hunters and poachers did in the population in the 19th century. From then on, captive flocks, a tourist attraction around the state, settled in as THE flamingo experience, Of course you could extend the experience by buying plastic ones and putting them in your garden. Yes, I admit, it can happen.
FLAMINGOS ARE FOUND EVERYWHERE
And buy a lottery ticket – there is the familiar bird image. But those who know, i.e. conservation officials were not all on board with the flamingo’s designation as non-native – usually assumed to be birds that migrate from the Caribbean and presumably go home to check in with family once in a while.
A flock of 147 flamingos landed on Water Management lands in western Palm Beach County a few years back. This is the largest flock of wild flamingos ever spotted in state history. The Everglades and nearby refuges are good habitat for birds including flamingos.
It was “assumed “ the big flock escaped from places like Hialeah Park where flamingos bought from Cuba have been raised on the grounds since 1934. But maybe not.
Into the intrigue of native vs. non-native steps Stephen Whitfield, a conservation and research specialist with the Miami Zoo. Whitfield and associates searched historical records, including John James Audubon who got pretty excited when he saw flamingos in 1832. Join the crowd. Everyone gets excited seeing flamingos.
Writing a report in a conservation journal early in 2018 the researchers including Jerry Lorenz, the director of research for Audubon Florida concluded flamingos probably originated and nested in Florida. Wiped out by the 20th century, they are making a comeback in the wild.
And voila, all kinds of news stories appear saying flamingos are now Florida natives with catchy headlines like “Natives Hiding in Plain Sight”
GETTING FAMILIAR WITH FLAMINGOS
Here are some visitor places to get familiar with these flamboyant birds:
Sarasota Jungle Gardens has a flock of flamingos and they know exactly where the food dispenser is – standing around long necks straight up, wide eyes giving you that look – well, what are you waiting for? Put a quarter in the dispenser and out comes pellets.
Their curved beaks softly scrap you hand. To eat they have to turn their heads and scoop the pellets into their beaks. Then one or two will have a discussion about who should get more food. Lots of hissing going on but that is about it.
Flamingos do well together. It is startling to see such brilliantly colored birds grouped in one place and they are quite comfortable with humans nearby. No need to bring long camera lenses, the birds will walk right up to you.
Nearby Busch Gardens in Tampa boasts a flock of 250 flamingos with their own team of bird specialists to care for them. See them in the Bird Gardens, and look for them in the daily Flamingo Parade.
If you are of a certain age (over say 45) you may recall the flock of flamingos at Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg. I certainly do – decades ago my visit here was the first time I’d ever seen a flamingo! While snapping pictures, something caught my eye off to the left – and there, swimming sedately towards the flamingos was a black swan. Never seen one of those either. What a day.
The Sunken Garden flock, originally from Chile, has dwindled to one elderly pair but a Flamingo Fund Forever drive by garden volunteers, and partnered with a non-profit St. Pete Preservation, hopes to bring the number to six, a nice flock size. Older botanical gardens like Sunken Gardens rely on eco tourism and having the flamboyant birds back again would help attract visitors.
THE FUTURE OF FLAMINGOS IN FLORIDA
But there is a cultivated place in Florida where wild flamingos feel at home enough to breed. Here is a surprise – that place is the Hialeah Park Racing & Casino in Hialeah. Flamingos from Cuba were first brought here in 1934. You may have seen them as backdrop for opening the television series “Miami Vice”. They are still here.
Forget the plastic ones. Go for the real deal. Add finding flamingos to your “reasons to get out of the house and go adventuring” list.
Flamboyant. Funky. Famous. All good attributes for a Florida native and now we know flamingos have come home at long last to stay. Awesome.
MORE TO EXPLORE
Birds and Birders flock to Florida
Native plants bring birds and butterflies
Sunken Gardens grows lush and exotic