Peculiar Pink Birds Spotted In Georgia Are Not Flamingos

Pink birds have been spotted along the coast in Georgia and some people thought they were lost flamingos, but they are something else.

Georgia DNR took to Facebook to clear up the confusion over the strange pink birds. Wildlife Resource Division posted, “No, we don’t have flamingos in Georgia… but we can see why you called it in!”

Both birds have long, skinny legs and eat the same diet to obtain their beautiful pink color. From a distance it is easy to see why someone could mistake them for a flamingo.

“Meet the roseate spoonbill, a species typically found along the coast in marsh and wetland habitats. Much like the flamingo, they too have their diet to thank for their bright coloration,” wrote wildlife officials.

Spoonbills are medium-sized waterbirds that get their name from their long bill that flattens into a spoon shape at the end. There are six different species with the roseate spoonbill being the only species found in America. They are typically found in southern Florida but are now making an appearance in Georgia.

Georgia DNR shared, “Their diet is rich in carotenoids, a soluble pigment that is stored in their skin and feathers, so the more they eat, the pinker they get!”

People couldn’t resist commenting on the mix-up. One person wrote, “I recently left Jekyll Island and saw what I thought were some lost flamingos in the marsh…now I know!”

Georgia State Parks said, ‘We especially like the newly hatched “Tea Spoons.”‘ DNR responded with, “Referring to newly hatched spoonbills as ‘tea spoons’ from now on.”

Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology shared even more fun facts about these amazing birds and how they have something in common with humans.

“As humans, we are all too familiar with hair loss as we get older. Roseate Spoonbills, it turns out, are familiar with balding too, but instead of losing hair they lose feathers from the top of their head as they get older,” they wrote.

Interesting, right?! Learn more here.