American Flamingos are a cultural icon here in Florida, the only state
in the U.S. where they naturally occur. Large flocks of flamingos - hundreds or thousands of birds - once foraged and likely nested in South Florida. But through the 1800s, flamingos were hunted for food and feathers for the plume trade. Hunting drove flamingos nearly extinct here by the late 1800s, and they remain rare today.
Through the 1900s, when flamingos were spotted in the Everglades or Florida Bay, they were assumed to be escapees from zoos or captive populations. But now,new research by Florida scientists shows that flamingos are returning to the Everglades and Florida Bay in increasing numbers. Flamingos are not protected by state or federal endangered species laws, but biologists and conservationists are encouraging action to aid in the population recovery of one of Florida’s most iconic bird species.
They should be the State Bird of Florida.
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