Flamingos used to live and breed in Florida. Unfortunately, the 19th century plume trade—when an ounce of feathers was worth more than gold—decimated wading birds in South Florida. Even after legislation and Audubon wardens protected these birds, extensive draining and ditching of the Everglades destroyed their habitat.

Now that restoration momentum is flowing in the River of Grass, we are hopeful that protected wetlands and improved water flow will create enough habitat resources for flamingos to survive and thrive here.

Wading birds show that if we get the water right, they are capable of breeding successfully once more. Both 2018 and 2021 proved to be strong nesting years for most of the Everglades’ wading birds, with hopes that continuing restoration projects will make the region more resilient as Florida deals with the ongoing and future impacts of a changing climate.

Can we help the American Flamingo in Florida?

Yes!

- Record your sightings on public platforms like eBird, so researchers can track flamingo numbers and locations in the Sunshine State.

- Advocate for Everglades restoration and efforts to improve water quality. If American Flamingos have healthy places to live and raise their families, their Florida population numbers can improve.

- Sign up for our Advocate newsletter and we’ll keep you up to date on ways to use your voice to protect wading birds like the flamingo.

Did you know? If you sign up for a guided experience at the Flamingo Mingle exhibit at Discovery Cove, Orlando 5% of the proceeds goes back to our conservation programming!