Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/flamingo-fallout/
Hurricane Idalia is causing quite a stir in the avian world. This powerful storm has not only left a trail of destruction but has also delivered an unexpected surprise to bird enthusiasts across the Eastern United States.
Leggy pink flamingos, usually associated with tropical climates, have been showing up in some rather unusual places. According to USA Today, This avian phenomenon, often referred to as “fallout,” is attracting attention and sparking excitement among birders and researchers alike.
Hurricane Idalia brought an unexpected spectacle to the Eastern United States: flamingos.
The Flamingo Invasion
Hurricane Idalia initially lingered in the Yucatan Peninsula before its journey up the Gulf of Mexico, ultimately making landfall in Florida. As the hurricane passed through Florida, it brought with it the flamingos. The birds began appearing all over the state, from both coasts to the northern Gulf Coast. Sightings. initially concentrated in Florida, soon expanded to other states, including Alabama, South and North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia, Wavy reports.
More than 150 flamingos had been spotted over four days, Audubon reports, with over 70 of them in Florida alone. The news of these exotic visitors quickly spread through the birding community, igniting a frenzy of excitement as bird watchers from six states embarked on quests to catch a glimpse of these unexpected guests.
These leggy pink birds were first spotted in Florida as the hurricane passed.
The Unprecedented Flamingo Migration
While it’s not unusual for birds to get caught up in hurricanes and end up along the coasts – a phenomenon known as “fallout” – what’s remarkable here is the sheer number of flamingos in so many different places.
Flamingos, though not common in Florida, have occasionally appeared in the Sunshine State after storms, Audubon Florida reports. These sightings were often linked to the Yucatan Peninsula, where colonies of these birds reside. Native to Florida, flamingos were nearly wiped out in the late 1800s and early 1900s due to the plume trade, reports Colorado Public Radio. However, in recent decades, there has been a resurgence in their numbers, and sightings have become more frequent.
Flamingos were sighted on both Florida coasts and the northern Gulf Coast.
A Rare Sighting
The flamingo invasion wasn’t limited to the southeastern states. In a surprising turn of events, these vibrant birds even made their way to Ohio. Bird enthusiasts in Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville, Ohio, were treated to an unexpected sight of flamingos. George Keller, an entomology student and bird watcher, was astounded by the rare sighting.
“I was like wait, those are flamingos. What are flamingos doing here?” He told Dispatch.
Keller captured the moment with his camera, realizing that this was a bird sighting that needed to be well-documented.
Hurricanes, with their strong winds and turbulence, can often carry birds into unexpected places, whether the birds intended to go there or not. Some birds might have found themselves in the calm center of the hurricane, while others could have been diverted by the storm or caught in its outer bands. The birds’ strong flying abilities might have enabled them to cover the roughly 500 miles to Tampa Bay in about eight hours, taking advantage of strong tailwinds.
Within three days, sightings extended to Alabama, South and North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia.
What Lies Ahead for These Flamingos?
The big question now is, what will become of these unexpected visitors?
Watching and wondering at the flamingos’ presence in these new environments, many may be left with the hope that they may choose to stay and thrive, adding a touch of exotic elegance to their own backyards.
They may choose to return to their original colonies, or they could decide to linger in Florida and other states where they could potentially establish a new breeding population.
Learn more in the video below.
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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
