A Flamingo for Florida's State Bird: Seriously?

Florida lawmakers have introduced a bill to change the state bird from the northern mockingbird to the American flamingo. If the bill is passed, the Flamingo would become the state bird in July of 2025. This marks the eight time in the last 25 years that the Florida legislature has tried to replace the state bird, which is extraordinary in itself but we'll leave that where it is.

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While the idea of replacing the mockingbird—a species found in many other states—makes sense, choosing the flamingo seems more about aesthetics than actual relevance. Flamingos, though often associated with Florida in postcards and super cringe lawn ornaments, are not truly representative of the state’s unique wildlife. A better choice would be the Florida scrub-jay, a bird found nowhere else in the world. Or, if you're thinking pink then the roseate spoonbill, which was once hunted to near extinction but has successfully rebounded, would be more appropriate.

One of the biggest flaws in selecting the flamingo is that it is not a uniquely Floridian bird. While historical evidence suggests flamingos were once native to the state, they were nearly wiped out by hunting in the 19th century. Today, most flamingos seen in Florida are escapees from zoos or the Bahamas, and the few wild ones that appear are considered rare visitors rather than established residents- hardly a conservation success story so far. Choosing a bird that is only marginally tied to the state today ignores Florida’s deep biodiversity and the species that truly define its natural landscape.

In contrast, the Florida scrub-jay is the only bird found exclusively in Florida and is considered threatened due to loss of habitat owed only to development. Unlike the flamingo, it has no range beyond the state’s borders, making it not only the perfect symbol of Florida’s unique environment. However, because it lacks the tropical appeal and Miami-style flashiness of a flamingo, may be why it gets overlooked. Whatever the reason, these beautiful blue songbirds are designated as threatened due to loss of habitat owed to nothing more than development. What better way to raise awareness right?

If lawmakers insist on a pink bird, the roseate spoonbill would be a much more fitting choice. Just as flamboyant as Flamingos but with much cooler personalities, spoonbills are stunning wading birds found in Florida’s wetlands, and are actively part of the state’s ecosystem. Unlike flamingos, spoonbills are not just an ornamental symbol—they play a crucial role in Florida’s food chain and wetland health. Roseate spoonbills are also a conservation success story. Plume hunting also decimated their populations during the same era as the Flamingo but legal protections under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state designation as a threatened species in Florida, helped the species recover.

Changing the state bird is a great opportunity to showcase Florida’s true natural heritage, but picking a flamingo would be a missed opportunity. If Florida wants a bird that represents its identity, it should choose one that truly belongs here, not just one that looks good on a souvenir or a lottery ticket.