Florida’s flamingo population thrives after Hurricane Idalia

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA) — Flamingos began popping up along Florida’s Gulf coast after Hurricane Idalia, which dropped off the colorful birds it picked up in Cuba and the Yucatan peninsula.

A survey from Audubon Florida found over 100 flamingos across the state in the course of a week. 40 people filled out the survey, reporting a record 101 wild American flamingos.

“We are thrilled that there are flamingos that have remained in Florida after being blown here in 2023 by Hurricane Idalia,” Jerry Lorenz, Ph.D., state director of research for Audubon Florida, told NBC affiliate WBBH. “I actually suspect that 100 flamingos is the floor of this new population, and there could be more that were not counted during the one-week survey. We are continually monitoring for breeding flamingos.”

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Florida Gulf Coast University ornithology professor Dr. Oscar Johnson said it appears the birds like their new homes.

“Basically the hurricane deposited those flamingos on Florida beaches when the hurricane passed through, and many of them seem to have stuck around,” Dr. Johnson said.

According to Audubon Florida, the flamingo population dwindled in the 19th century due to poaching for their feathers. It’s likely the current population will grow if they can find the right place to mate.

“There’s no sign of them breeding yet in Florida, but that’s kind of the thing that we’re all keeping our fingers crossed for,” Johnson told WBBH. “There are some really ideally suited lagoons that I think would be really cool for them to breed at.”

The biggest flamboyance of flamingos clocked in at over 50 members in Florida Bay, which is in the Everglades.

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