Yes, there are wild flamingos in Florida, and their presence is increasingly documented, marking a significant change in the state’s natural history. The American Flamingo has long been an iconic symbol of the Sunshine State, often seen on merchandise and logos. However, for nearly a century, the real-life birds were largely absent, with sightings considered rare anomalies. Recent years have brought compelling evidence that these large, pink wading birds are making a sustained return to the Florida ecosystem.
A History of Absence and Return
The American Flamingo was once an abundant native species in South Florida and the Florida Keys. Historical accounts from the 19th century describe large flocks, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, across the southern regions of the state. Early naturalists documented their presence year-round in areas like Cape Sable and the Florida Keys.
This native population was nearly eliminated around the turn of the 20th century. The primary cause of this collapse was relentless hunting for the lucrative feather trade, as their vibrant plumage was highly sought after for women’s hats. The draining of the Everglades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries also contributed to the loss of their specialized wetland habitat.
For many decades following 1900, sightings of flamingos were extremely rare, leading to a long period where they were nearly absent from the wild. However, citizen science data from 1950 to 2015 began to reveal an increase in observations. This slow but steady rise suggested a potential for natural recolonization.
Are They Wild or Captive Escapees?
The status of flamingos in Florida was controversial for nearly a century, with ornithologists debating if modern sightings were truly wild birds. The competing theories centered on either natural immigration or escapees from captive collections, such as the established flocks at Hialeah Park Race Track. For a long time, rare observations were often discounted as escapees, and the species was considered nonnative by the state’s wildlife commission until 2018.
This classification changed as scientific evidence began to support the case for the birds being wild pioneers recolonizing their historic range. Contemporary observations revealed dispersal from expanding nesting populations in the Caribbean, particularly the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. A study published in 2018 concluded that recent population increases are best explained by immigration from the Caribbean, confirming the American Flamingo as a returning native species.
Tracking data from banded birds provided direct proof of their wild origin and movements. For example, a flamingo banded as a chick in the Yucatan was recorded in Everglades National Park in 2012. Further evidence was provided by a male flamingo named Conchy, tracked via GPS after a rescue in Key West in 2015, who stayed in Florida Bay for over two years.
Current Habitats and Sightings
The American Flamingo prefers shallow, brackish water, coastal lagoons, and mudflats. Historically and currently, over 95% of observations occur in the southernmost parts of the state, including Everglades National Park, the Florida Keys, and Biscayne Bay.
Sightings are also becoming more common in man-made environments, such as the shallow treatment wetlands along the northern fringe of the Everglades. The return has been bolstered by large-scale ecological restoration efforts, such as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. This habitat improvement allows the birds to successfully settle after traveling from their Caribbean colonies.
Large groups are increasingly seen, such as a flock of over 147 flamingos spotted near Lake Okeechobee in 2014. More recently, Hurricane Idalia in 2023 diverted a large number of wild birds to Florida and other states. Following the storm, birders counted over 100 wild American Flamingos in a February census, with concentrations noted in Florida Bay and at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.