Hell, I always thought it was our State Bird, but nooo....
Last week, Florida House Bill 81 was introduced by Rep. Jim Mooney (R-Kay Largo), proposing to designate the flamingo as Florida’s official state bird and the scrub-jay as the official state songbird. They would replace the northern mockingbird, which has held the state bird title since 1927. The American flamingo is known for its vibrant pink color and is native to Florida. The scrub-jay is unique to the state and is recognizable for its distinctive blue and gray colors and scrubland habitat, found primarily in Central and Southern Florida, with some populations along the Gulf Coast.
A state songbird is an official avian symbol designated by a U.S. state, according to Birds in the Tree. A state bird serves as an official emblem representing the unique culture and heritage of a state. The flamingo fits that role, as Florida is known as the Sunshine State with warm, tropical-like weather. Flamingos were hunted in the late 1800s and early 1900s, leading to their decline. The Florida scrub-jay population has also suffered due to ongoing development, according to Birdful.
According to Florida Audubon, birders counted more than 100 flamingos across the state in 2024. In 2023, Hurricane Idalia pushed groups of flamingos from the Caribbean back to Florida, according to Source Photo Tours. Their resurgence has inspired Mooney and other state officials to push for legislative action to protect them and strengthen their presence in the state’s identity.
...
...
No comments:
Post a Comment