TAMPA BAY – Hurricane Idalia’s Category 3 landfall in late August brought rain, wind and – surprisingly – flamingos to Florida.
American flamingos were commonly seen in Florida until about 1900 until they were hunted to near-extinction. Today, they are numerous in Mexico and Cuba, where they breed, with a few straying to the Everglades and Florida Bay in winter.
As Hurricane Idalia passed between the Yucatan Peninsula and Western Cuba, strong winds likely swept up flamingos from this region, carrying them to Florida’s coast, according to Audubon Florida.
Sightings have been reported in the Keys, Sanibel Causeway, Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor, Clearwater, Treasure Island, Siesta Key and Tarpon Springs, along with locations north of the state.
One flamingo was rescued by boaters in the Gulf of Mexico off St. Petersburg Beach. Nicknamed Peaches, the bird was brought to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tampa Bay and was then transferred to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores for rehabilitation. After a week, Peaches was self-feeding and becoming active.
Before releasing Peaches on Sept. 9 at Ft. DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, Audubon Florida tagged her with a satellite transmitter in the hopes that scientists could learn more about the movements of these birds during storms.
The public is asked to give this and all flamingos in Florida space to rest and feed undisturbed.
“We want these flamingos to stay and raise their families here,” Audubon Florida’s Director of Research Dr. Jerry Lorenz said. “If we give them their space, restore their habitat, and keep their water clean, we can hope for a pink future in Florida.”
