Flamingos in Alabama? What you need to know

Probably the only place you’ve seen flamingos in Alabama is at the zoo. For a resident in Hale County, it’s a different story. We talked with Andrew Lydeard, program coordinator at Alabama Audubon, and here’s what you need to know about the latest (and one of the only) flamingo spottings in Alabama.

Hurricane Idalia brought flamingos to many states—including Alabama

Hurricane Idalia, a Category 4 hurricane which hit Florida in late August 2023, brought with it some unlikely guests—flamingos.

Over 100 of these bright-pink birds were blown in across several states—as far as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky. One state where they landed was Alabama.

Flamingo spottings are extremely rare in Alabama, with just a couple on record.

“Just seeing them away from the coast and anywhere away from Florida is a really a big deal.”

Andrew Lydeard, program coordinator, Alabama Audubon

Even more unlikely about this flamingo spotting was the exact location—a catfish pond in Hale County.

A rare sight in Alabama—what to do if you see a flamingo

But why won’t you see flamingos off the coast? It’s all about the habitat.

“American Flamingos eat a lot of the shrimp and invertebrates that live in brackish and saltwater habitats. They rely on that food to survive, thrive and breed—so a freshwater catfish pond, or any other freshwater habitat, is not the ideal place to feed or to start a family. Though Alabama has some of the flamingo’s preferred environments, they are located down in the coastal part of the state. The case of flamingos in Hale County would not be the same as in Baldwin or Mobile Counties.”

Andrew Lydeard, program coordinator, Alabama Audubon

Alabama doesn’t have saltwater inland, so flamingos wouldn’t be too comfortable here long-term.

So, only under very unusual circumstances (like a hurricane) will you see a flamingo in Alabama. However, if you do by chance see one, be cautious. Lydeard explained that, since these flamingos are far from their ideal habitat, they’re likely a bit more on-edge than usual.

“If a bird is looking up at you and stops doing what they’re doing, and even starts to walk away, you’re too close.

Even if it starts slowly trotting away from you, you’re probably too close.”

Andrew Lydeard, program coordinator, Alabama Audubon

It’s recommended to stay 100 yards away from the birds, or about the length of a football field.

If you’re lucky enough to see flamingos in Alabama and want to snag a picture, be sure to read their “body language,” so to speak. You can appreciate their beauty—from a distance!

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