What Is it:  There are old-fashioned animal parks in Florida where visitors can see alligators, exotic birds, turtles, wild animals and other flora and fauna of the region. Although places like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Sea World, and Busch Gardens now offer wildlife exhibits and capture the lion’s share of the tourists, the beautiful pink flamingos of Florida are less common to see in the state. One establishment that features a popular flamingo experience for adults and children is the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Family owned and operated since 1939, this ten-acre tropical garden not only has flamingos, botanical gardens, butterflies, and a petting zoo, but a variety of shows presenting jungle birds, reptiles, and other animals.

Flamingos exist in tropical climates in places such as the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, the lakes of East Africa, and wet environments of south Asia. While there are small flocks in the Everglades and other undeveloped areas of the state, the bird colonies in the Americas are far smaller than the tens of thousands of birds that can gather in certain locations during breeding season in Africa. In the United States, flamingos are protected under the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Act.

Wherever they gather, flamingos are striking animals for several reasons. First, their beautiful pink color makes a real impression when observed individually or in a large group. Second, their long thin legs and curved necks makes them appear to be in constant motion. Whether walking or standing upright their necks twist and turn in every direction and their tiny eyes seem to dart about. Nevertheless, sometimes they stand on one leg to conserve energy or lower their body temperature. Third, flamingos are always cackling loudly, pecking at each other, or searching for food. Traditionally, they walk around the shallow water of a pond or mud flat stirring up the bottom and looking for algae, flies, brine shrimp, and plants to swallow and filter through their beaks. It is their food which provides the pink pigmentation of their bodies. 

What You Will See: At the Sarasota Jungle Gardens, there are three small lakes and some wetlands areas which are suitable for viewing the flamingos. Sometimes they go about their daily activities in small groups throughout the jungle gardens but the entire flock of 30 or 40 birds gathers daily at specified feeding times in a designated area. The gardens allow visitors to mingle with the flamingos, feed them, and take pictures of the activities. I was able to observe dozens of the birds up close for a half an hour and see parents with young and teenage children enjoy feeding and watching them in action. It was an enjoyable way to spend a nice fall day. There are interesting lectures about the habits and behavior of the flamingos from time to time also. 

Interesting Facts:  Flamingos create a cone shaped nest out of mud adjacent to the shallows where the female lays one or two eggs. Both parents help incubate the eggs for a month and after the white colored young ones are born, they feed them with regurgitated food until they can feed themselves.

When to Go: The weather on the west coast of Florida is pleasant except from July to September when it can be hot and humid in the 90s with afternoon thunderstorms several days each week. The Sarasota Jungle Gardens can be experienced in a half day and the gardens are well shaded. 

How to Get There:  The Sarasota Jungle Gardens are located just two blocks from U.S. Route 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail, which is the major north south commercial road running from Bradenton through Sarasota. The Gardens are less than two miles from the Sarasota Airport and an hour from the Tampa International Airport across the bay.