The Pink Flamingos Are Back in Town

Florida’s favorite color is pink, and it’s not just because of the cheesy, plastic lawn ornaments or Elvis’s sleek, Pink Flamingo Cadillac. The real pink flamingos, the ones that were hunted to the brink of extinction a century ago, are back in South Florida, and they’re here to stay.

Pink flamingos have returned to South Florida via hurricanes

The population of pink flamingos outside of America rebounded over time into the tens of thousands, and now, hundreds of thousands are estimated in colonies throughout the greater Caribbean. But it wasn’t until Hurricane Idalia last year, and to a lesser extent, Hurricane Ian in 2022, that several hundred of these birds were blown off-course and landed in South Florida.

“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.

According to Lorenz, the birds were caught up in the hurricanes flying between Cuba and the Yucatan, and were blown off-course or carried to various parts of the country, including Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and even Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Flamingos in flight, a rare sight in South Florida

The return of the pink flamingos is seen as a positive sign of adaptation to changing environmental conditions, including the increased water flows due to the ongoing Everglades restoration. Erika Zambello, a spokeswoman for Audubon Florida, said birds are a key species that let humans know if their habitats are healthy. If pink flamingos remain in Florida, it’s a positive indicator that they once again have enough food and intact wetlands to survive.

“It’s hard to talk about the Everglades in 2024 without talking about flamingos,” Zambello said. “We were excited to see that some of the Hurricane Idalia flamingos seem to have stuck around.”

In fact, nearly two dozen pink flamingos have made Pine Island their new home, and it’s unclear whether they will stay or leave. But one thing is certain - the resurgence of the bright flamingos in Florida is a welcome sight, and a testament to the enduring legacy of the Sunshine State’s favorite color.

Pink flamingos in their natural habitat, a rare sight in South Florida

As a journalist, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the return of the pink flamingos firsthand, and I can attest to the fact that it’s a truly remarkable sight. The birds’ bright pink feathers, which get their color from their diet rich in beta-carotene, are a stunning sight to behold, and their ability to thrive in the harsh conditions of the Everglades is a testament to their resilience.

The return of the pink flamingos is also a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural habitats, and the impact that human activity can have on the environment. As we continue to restore the Everglades, it’s clear that our efforts are paying off, and that the pink flamingos are just one of the many species that are benefiting from our conservation efforts.

Flamingos in the Everglades, a rare sight in South Florida

In conclusion, the return of the pink flamingos to South Florida is a welcome sight, and a testament to the enduring legacy of the Sunshine State’s favorite color. As we continue to preserve our natural habitats and restore the Everglades, it’s clear that our efforts are paying off, and that the pink flamingos are just one of the many species that are benefiting from our conservation efforts.