Current:Home > ContactTradeEdge-Peaches the flamingo rescued, released after being blown to Tampa area by Hurricane Idalia -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
TradeEdge-Peaches the flamingo rescued, released after being blown to Tampa area by Hurricane Idalia
TradeEdge Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 03:13:56
A tired flamingo swept to Florida's waters by Hurricane Idalia has recovered and TradeEdgewas released back into the wild over the weekend.
Wild flamingos typically live and breed in the Caribbean, though they are regularly spotted visiting Florida in the Everglades or the Florida Keys. But Hurricane Idalia's Category 3 winds blew them more than 300 miles north to the Tampa Bay area and beyond (reportedly as far as Ohio).
The bird, now lovingly known as Peaches, was found alone and rescued off of St. Pete Beach on Sept. 1, as Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported. Local officials assessing damage from Hurricane Idalia saw the bird far out in the ocean with water-logged wings that prevented it from flying.
"We decided that we needed to try to save her, because the consensus was she would drown possibly," local city Madeira Beach Commissioner Anne-Marie Brooks told Fox 13.
They used a towel to contain the bird and then scooped it up with a net. It was transported to the SPCA for a day before recovering at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores, according to Fox 13. The rescuers were not able to determine the sex of the bird.
In a Facebook post, Seaside Seabird Sanctuary said that the flamingo was overall in good condition but "clearly exhausted." Videos and photos also posted show the bird in its "recess" time.
After regaining strength, Peaches was ready to join other flamingos stranded by the storm. It was outfitted with a federal band, a resight band, and a satellite transmitter that will allow researchers to look at Peaches' movements for the next few years.
"The bands and transmitter weigh about as much as a pen, and while may be a little annoying for the bird initially, it will not cause pain or distress to the bird," the sanctuary said in a post about Peaches' release.
Upon being released Saturday morning, Peaches put on a show of bathing, shaking out its feathers, and the typical flamingo dance that kicked up sediments in the waters it was feeding in. About an hour later Peaches took flight, and rehabilitators are hopeful it will join another flamboyance which has been reported in the area.
Hurricane Idalia blew flamingos off their course
After Idalia, flamingoes were spotted along Florida's Gulf Coast and even throughout Southeastern states.
Despite being a mascot for the state's lottery, many debate if the bird ever lived in Florida year-round. Even when they do make an appearance, they are usually spotted in the Everglades or Florida Keys, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Experts believe that the birds were flying from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to Cuba and were blown off course, a phenomenon known as a "fall out."
After Hurricane Michael in 2018, one beloved bird "Pinky" stuck around after a fallout near Tallahassee, earning a local star status.
Contributing: Chad Gillis, Fort Myers News-Press; Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY
veryGood! (37)
Related
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- 'The Notebook' actress Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer's disease, son says
- Judge blocks Michigan’s abortion waiting period, 2 years after voters approved abortion rights
- Jury awards $700k to Seattle protesters jailed for writing anti-police slogans in chalk on barricade
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Bear euthanized after injuring worker at park concession stand in Tennessee
- Delaware Senate gives final approval to bill mandating insurance coverage for abortions
- Alec Baldwin attorneys say FBI testing damaged gun that killed cinematographer; claim evidence destroyed
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- 'Bridgerton' author Julia Quinn addresses 'disappointment' over gender-swapped character
Ranking
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Minnesota Lynx win 2024 WNBA Commissioner's Cup. Here's how much money the team gets.
- 'Slow-moving disaster': Midwest rivers flood; Rapidan Dam threatened
- Athing Mu's appeal denied in 800 after fall at Olympic trials
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- The 2024 Denim Trends That You'll Want to Style All Year Long (and They Fit like a Jean Dream)
- Olympic track and field seeing dollar signs with splashy cash infusions into the sport
- 3 ways the CDK cyberattack is affecting car buyers
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Jared Padalecki recalls checking into a clinic in 2015 due to 'dramatic' suicidal ideation
Judge strikes down Montana law defining sex as only male or female for procedural reasons
Gender-neutral baby names are on the rise. Here are the top 10 predictions for 2024.
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
Julie Chrisley to be resentenced for bank fraud scheme, original prison time thrown out
5 people killed, 13-year-old girl critically injured in Las Vegas shooting
CDK Global says outages to continue through June 30 after supplier hack