Flamingos are making a remarkable comeback in Florida, reestablishing their presence after a century-long absence. Following the impact of Hurricane Idalia in August 2023, a flock estimated at 300 to 400 flamingos was blown off course from their migratory path between the Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba. These birds were sighted across a wide area of the eastern United States, from Florida’s Gulf Coast to as far north as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
This unprecedented event resulted in over 300 credible flamingo sightings in the eastern U.S. after the hurricane. Dr. Jerome Lorenz, an estuarine scientist with Audubon Florida, has dedicated 35 years to studying American flamingos and related wading birds. He expressed excitement and curiosity about the sudden influx of these vibrant birds into Florida.
One flamingo, affectionately named Peaches, was rescued in the Tampa area after nearly drowning in the Gulf of Mexico. Rescuers placed a GPS tracking device and a blue identification band marked “US02” on his leg. Unfortunately, shortly after his release, the device malfunctioned. The last sighting of Peaches was on October 5, 2023, near Marco Island. However, in June 2025, colleagues from the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in Yucatan, Mexico, confirmed Peaches was nesting in the reserve, band still intact.
Flamingos’ Historical Context in Florida
Flamingos were once a common sight in Florida, but their native population vanished over a century ago. The decline began in the late 1800s, driven largely by the demand for wading bird feathers in women’s fashion. Robert Porter Allen, a pioneering ornithologist, documented this decline in his 1956 book, “The Flamingos: Their Life History and Survival.” He noted that flamboyances of hundreds to thousands were observed in places like the Everglades and Florida Bay during the 1800s.
The hunting of flamingos and other wading birds led to significant population loss. The grassroots environmental movement, supported by the National Association of Audubon Societies, successfully lobbied for laws against the hunting and sale of bird feathers. Despite this, enforcement was challenging, and tragic incidents occurred, including the murder of Audubon wardens protecting nesting colonies.
By the time the Migratory Bird Treaty Act was enacted in 1918, legal protections had come too late for flamingos, which continued to struggle. In 1956, Allen estimated that their population had plummeted to only 25% of what it had been, with significant nesting locations reduced from 29 to just four.
Restoration Efforts and Future Hope
In recent years, conservation efforts have had a positive impact on Florida’s ecosystems. The restoration of the Everglades and coastal areas has shown promising results. Dr. Lorenz and his colleagues have observed an increase in sightings and evidence of wild flamingos returning to Florida, suggesting that the population may finally be recovering.
The significant changes in the health of Florida Bay, which underwent severe ecological collapse in the 1980s, are noteworthy. A 1993 interagency report highlighted the detrimental effects of decades of environmental mismanagement, leading to increased salinity and the death of seagrass and mangroves.
In 2000, the U.S. Congress passed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, aiming to reverse these damages. With funding in the tens of billions of dollars, this initiative has made substantial strides towards ecological recovery. In recent years, nesting populations of other wading birds, such as white ibises and roseate spoonbills, have surged, with over 100,000 pairs nesting in the Everglades, numbers not seen since the 1940s.
As of July 2025, a flock of 125 flamingos was photographed in Florida Bay. Dr. Lorenz and his team believe that the flamingos displaced by Hurricane Idalia may be establishing a permanent presence in Florida, marking a new chapter in the state’s environmental narrative.
The gradual return of flamingos such as Peaches and others represents a hopeful sign for ongoing conservation efforts. The story of these birds is not just about a species reclaiming its home but also about the resilience of ecosystems that have faced decades of challenges. With continued efforts, the flamingos may well be on the path to a lasting return to Florida.
