Where did Flamingo fly “Peach” after leaving Tampa Bay? Now we know.

Flamingos, like so many Floridians, were exhausted and confused a few days after Hurricane Idalia ran through the Big Bend area in 2023.

Seafarers assessing the damage from the storm discovered that the bird was struggling 800 yards from St. Pete Beach. It was likely that he was blown into the wind of Idalia, and he was given a shelter and named Peaches.

During the stormy weeks, peaches roamed the coast of Tampa Bay, giving locals a rare glimpse of the species that once flourished in Florida.

But the pink flash disappeared as quickly as it came. The location of the peaches finally flew that October that year remained a mystery to scientists and bird lovers as well.

Until now.

In early May, a single bird was notable as Mexican researchers tallied nearly 15,000 flamingo nests across Yucatan.

In a pink gust, experts found a blue band around the legs of a male flamingo. “USO2” – The second flamingo in the United States to be tracked.

Our old friend, Peaches.

“We are humbled by the resilience of this bird. US02 was swept by a hurricane, transported to the coast, and was able to return to its birthplace to contribute to the next generation.”

According to Yucatan, the sightings not only give Peaches’s Florida fanbase a very definitive update on his whereabouts, but also confirm the flamingo’s transition patterns between Florida and Yucatan.

“This kind of feat of durability and voyage is a natural part of the bird’s life history, but it’s always very exciting to gain this kind of insight into a single individual,” Leissmel said.

Despite increased pressure from development and climate change, Yucatan’s flamingo population has rebounded from 5,000 birds in the 1950s to an estimated 40,000 people today.

Peaches’s story highlights how conservation efforts can make a difference in the lives of single birds and their population, Reismell said.

After the rescue, Peach was taken to Indian Shores’ seaside seabird sanctuary for eight days of care. Jerry Lorenz, former research director at Audubon, placed the band on the bird’s feet before being released.

Peach decides to leave Florida, but the other flamingos infused by Idalia stay. A study conducted by Audubon, Florida in May 2024 found more than 100 flamingos, mainly in South Florida.

The largest group of flamingos, collectively known as gorgeousness, was logged in at the Bay of Florida, on the southern tip of the peninsula.

Another 18 were tallied in Matsushima near Sanibel, with more than dozens of flamingos found at Merritt Island National Wildlife Shelter in Brevard County.

Audubon staff said they have not seen flamingo sightings in the Tampa Bay Area since 2023.

Their abundance in Florida caused a plunge in flamingo populations during the plume trade in the 19th century. Recent figures from the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimate that there are up to 330,000 mature flamingos in the wild around the world.

There are several steps that Florida can get to help its population of wild flamingo. Audubon, Florida, encourages Floridians to record sightings on public birdwatching platforms like eBird. This helps researchers collect data on population locations.

Advocating for a continuous recovery of the Everglades, where most flamingos were found, will also help to enhance the habitat of Florida’s avian culture mascots.

And remember: if you see flamingos in the wild, give them plenty of space.

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