New measure sets the American Flamingo as Florida’s state bird

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new bill would change Florida’s state bird to the American Flamingo.

Reps. James Vernon “Jim” Mooney, R-Islamorada, and Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, filed the measure.

Through HB 753, the American Flamingo would be selected to replace the mockingbird, which has been the state bird of Florida since 1927.

The mockingbird also is the state bird of Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

The American Flamingo is widely viewed in Florida’s Everglades, Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys.

Standing over 5 feet tall, it’s one of the largest species of flamingos.

Commonly recognized by their pink and red color, the American Flamingo weighs between 4 to 8 pounds. The bird is considered native to Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

After vanishing early in the 20th century, the American Flamingo reappeared in Florida around 1925. The bird was colonized in South Florida, including a breeding ground in Hialeah.

A similar bill, filed by Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, would select the Florida scrub-jay as the state bird. SB 162 details that the Florida scrub-jay is “only” bird species that is native to the state.

Polsky also attempted to designate the scrub jay as the Florida state bird in 2023.