Miami Officials Back Flamingo as Florida State Bird

City commissioners voted to support naming the American flamingo the official state bird.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Bird Watching

Bold vector editorial illustration of a flamingo silhouette in coral and teal, symbolizing the campaign to name it Florida's state bird. — The Miami City Commission voted unanimously on October 22 to advocate for the American flamingo to replace the mockingbird as Florida's state bird. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should Florida replace the common mockingbird with the American flamingo as the official state bird?

The Miami City Commission voted unanimously on October 22 to advocate for the American flamingo to become the official Florida state bird. This move mirrors legislation previously adopted by Miami-Dade County in July 2026.

Why it matters

Proponents argue that the iconic bird reflects the unique character and tourism identity of South Florida. The effort seeks to replace the mockingbird, which has held the official designation for nearly a century.

The American flamingo stands approximately 5 feet tall and features prominently in Florida cultural imagery. The mockingbird has served as the state bird for the past 99 years.

The players

Miami City Commission

This is the governing body for the city of Miami that oversees local ordinances and legislative support.

Miami-Dade County

This local government body previously designated the American flamingo as its own official bird.

The details

While the Florida House overwhelmingly passed House Bill 11 earlier this year, the measure failed to progress through the Senate. Miami leaders are now signaling continued local support for the change ahead of the next legislative session.

Large flocks of flamingos historically foraged in the Keys during the 1800s.
Captive breeding and migration returned the species to Florida in 1925.
The Florida House passed House Bill 11 on February 11, 2026.
The 2026 regular legislative session ended on March 13, 2026.
The Miami City Commission officially backed the state bird effort on October 22, 2026.

Culture Shift

The move reflects a growing cultural movement to align state symbols with regional biodiversity and local tourism identities. This initiative follows the precedent set by Florida House Bill 11, which sought to update state iconography during the 2026 legislative session.

Residents may see an increase in local tourism initiatives and public imagery celebrating the flamingo's status as a regional icon. The designation is intended to bolster the identity of the South Florida community.

The takeaway

The effort to designate the flamingo highlights a shift toward prioritizing regional symbols that resonate with modern residents and visitors. Supporters hope that persistent local legislative pressure will eventually sway state-level representatives to reconsider the change.