ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For the fifth straight year, Florida lawmakers are pushing to change the state bird from the mockingbird to the flamingo — and this time, the effort appears to be gaining momentum.
What You Need To Know
Several lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Jim Mooney, are pushing to make Florida’s state bird the flamingo
The current state bird is the mockingbird
Previous attempts to make the switch have failed, but this year’s proposal has already cleared two House committees and one Senate committee
Flamingos are making a population comeback in Florida thanks to restoration efforts in areas like the Everglades
The mockingbird has been Florida’s official state bird for nearly 100 years, but it also holds that distinction in at least five other states. Supporters of the change argue that the flamingo is more uniquely tied to Florida’s identity, history and environment.
Previous attempts to make the switch have failed, but this year’s proposal has already cleared two House committees and one Senate committee, giving it its strongest showing yet. Matching bills are now moving through both chambers of the legislature.
At Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, animal care specialists look after a flock of 19 Chilean flamingos — birds many believe perfectly capture the look and feel of the Sunshine State.
“The flamingo is very iconic for Florida,” said Katie Sheppard, an animal care specialist at Sunken Gardens. “They have been a part of our history on and off. Put one of the most iconic birds in Florida as the state bird.”
While flamingos are often associated with Florida today, it may surprise some that they are not already the state bird. The species was nearly wiped out in Florida in the early 1900s due to hunting and habitat loss. Their resurgence as a symbol of the state came later, driven in part by tourism and marketing.
“Back in the ’30s, Hialeah Park brought in a huge flock of flamingos and they kind of used them as marketing to get people to come to Florida, to come visit the park and South Florida,” Sheppard said. “Ever since then, it just blew up.”
Supporters of the legislation also point to the flamingo as a symbol of environmental restoration across the state.
“The flamingo also represents a milestone in the restoration of the Everglades, the Indian River Lagoon and other areas,” Republican Rep. Jim Mooney of District 120 said at a recent hearing in Tallahassee. “You walk through the halls, flamingos are everywhere.”
Despite the growing support, the mockingbird still has a loyal following. The bird has held Florida’s state title for nearly a century and has found renewed popularity through memes and viral social media videos.
For Sheppard, however, the flamingos she works with every day embody Florida’s personality.
“You’ll see them head-wagging and pecking at each other. That’s very natural for their social behavior,” she said.
The proposal received a favorable vote in the House Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee and now heads to the State Affairs Committee. Lawmakers are not expected to take final action on the measure until the 2026 legislative session.