Pink Flamingos Return to South Florida via Hurricanes

Florida’s oceans may slip between turquoise and emerald, its sunsets streak yellow and orange, and its politics shift from blue to purple to red. But pink is Florida’s favorite color. From the cheesy, plastic pink flamingo lawn ornaments and Elvis’ sleek, Pink Flamingo Cadillac in the 1950s, to ‘Miami Vice pink’ and the emblem on Florida’s lottery tickets in the 1980s, pink flamingo-inspired kitsch is an enduring legacy of the Sunshine State.

Pink flamingos are a beloved sight in Florida

Even when the real thing had vanished. Pink flamingos were hunted to the brink of extinction in Florida for the then-fashionable plume trade up north a century ago. A few pink flamingos remained in Florida tucked away inside the environs of the Everglades, rarely seen, while the bulk of the remaining birds migrated to Cuba, Mexico, and the Yucatan Peninsula.

The population of pink flamingos outside of America rebounded over time into the tens of thousands. Now, hundreds of thousands are estimated in colonies throughout the greater Caribbean. Several hundred of those were blown off-course by Hurricane Idalia last year, and to a lesser extent by Hurricane Ian in 2022, either landing or crash-landing throughout South Florida.

Pink flamingos seeking shelter from a hurricane

And they’ve stayed. That includes nearly two dozen pink flamingos now at home in Pine Island. ‘This event is unprecedented,’ said Jerry Lorenz, who tracks the pink flamingos for Florida Audubon. ‘We’re talking more than 100 flamingos here. Will they stay? Will they leave? We want to know.’

Caught up in the hurricanes flying between Cuba and the Yucatan, pink flamingos were blown off-course or carried all over: Florida, Texas, Louisiana — some even to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. In so doing, that tells us that efforts made to restore the River of Grass are working.

Pink flamingos in flight

The return of the pink flamingos to South Florida is a welcome sight for many. These birds are not just a symbol of the state’s favorite color, but also a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts. As we continue to work towards restoring the Everglades, we can take heart in the fact that our efforts are paying off. The pink flamingos are back, and they’re here to stay.

The Future of the Pink Flamingos

As we look to the future, it’s clear that the pink flamingos will continue to play an important role in Florida’s ecosystem. With their numbers on the rise, we can expect to see more of these beautiful birds in the years to come. But it’s not just about the birds themselves — it’s about the impact they have on our environment. By supporting conservation efforts, we can help ensure that the pink flamingos continue to thrive in South Florida.

Pink flamingos in their natural habitat

Conclusion

The return of the pink flamingos to South Florida is a testament to the power of conservation. These birds are not just a symbol of the state’s favorite color, but also a reminder of the importance of protecting our environment. As we continue to work towards restoring the Everglades, we can take heart in the fact that our efforts are paying off. The pink flamingos are back, and they’re here to stay.