Flamingos in Mississippi!

[MGC]

I've read accounts of exotic tropical birds being transported many a mile by a hurricane. Well, there is a flock of flamingos here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. At least 9 have been sighted in Waveland. I saw one yesterday. I could not believe my eyes, a big pink flamingo in Mississippi.....MGC

[DanKellFla]

If you can, take a picture. It is possible that it is a Rosette Spoonbill or Scarlet Ibis. But, both of those birds are much smaller than a Flamingo. In any case. Cool.

[Jam151]

lol that sounds awesome....I hope they multiply.

[HurricaneRobert]

What happens to non-native birds before a hurricane? Do they evacuate before the storm?

[Sihara]

If you can, take a picture. It is possible that it is a Rosette Spoonbill or Scarlet Ibis. But, both of those birds are much smaller than a Flamingo. In any case. Cool.

Yeah, very cool!

I've never seen a Scarlet Ibis - although we have flocks of the white ones who patrol our street for errant insects (betcha they're finding lots!), and there's a small flock of Roseates very near here - by the county landfill of all places.

The other day on the way home from work, I saw - in the distance - a large, very pink bird. It was probably a Roseate but there's a small chance it could have been a flamingo. Some got loose from Busch Gardens awhile back.

What happens to non-native birds before a hurricane? Do they evacuate before the storm?

I really couldn't answer that one - but I do have a hurricane/bird story: In the 30+ years we've lived here, we'd never seen house finches, probably because their range ends north of here. Shortly after Ivan, a few of them showed up, and my guess is, the little guys got displaced by the hurricane. Anyway, 4 years later, the cute little visitors from N FL have a small flock here. (but not as cool as flamingos in MS )

[wobblehead]

Back in the summer of 2005 while fishing in the Ocean Springs area I saw many Roseatte Spoonbills.
Most migratory birds begin their migration back south flying over the GOMEX this time of year. Unfortunately they sometimes encounter tropical systems while over the GOMEX and never make it through. There have been accounts of thousands of birds such as Purple Martins and Hummingbirds that are killed in such storms.

[HurricaneRobert]

I mean bigger birds (like flamingos, peacocks, ducks). Those that never leave their little territories. Would they stay put or leave?

[wobblehead]

I mean bigger birds (like flamingos, peacocks, ducks). Those that never leave their little territories. Would they stay put or leave?

I am not familiar with peacock or flamingo habitat. I do know that ducks here on the north gulf coast will seek out dense marsh or wooded swamp areas to hunker down in during a storm.

[Frank2]

So that's where they went - I haven't seen a flock of them that are usually grazing in the parking lot since two or three weeks ago...

Frank

[jcool]

MGC, Today's (9/9/08) Sun Herald story documents they are indeed flamigoes. It also mention that biologists think they will return to where ever they can from possibly south Florida or Cuba. j

[DanKellFla]

http://www.sunherald.com/pageone/story/801077.html

WITH PICTURES!!!!!!

Birding, a cheap hobby. They fly to you.

[aelliott209]

Here. I shot this of one of them in Waveland, MS at S. Beach Blvd and Sarah Lane on Saturday 9/6/08. Have a couple more shots, if anyone wants to see them, just let me know.

[DanKellFla]

Great Shot. I'd love to see more. Thanks.