Republican Rep. Jim Mooney and a handful of others are leading the effort. Their goal? Make the flamingo Florida’s official state bird. The proposal has already sailed through two House committees and picked up support in the Senate, further than it’s ever gone before. Both chambers are weighing matching bills, and you can feel the momentum.

True, the mockingbird rules Florida right now, but it’s hardly exclusive, as five other states have already claimed it. Flamingo supporters argue their bird belongs to Florida. It’s not just that flamingos look the part; they’re tangled up in Florida’s history. You see them more and more, especially now that restoration in the Everglades is working.

Funny thing is, flamingos weren’t always a sure thing in Florida. Back in the early 1900s, hunting and shrinking habitats nearly wiped them out. Their comeback started in the 1930s, when places like Hialeah Park brought in flocks to draw visitors. 

Lawmakers say it’s more than just about looks. The flamingo’s return signals actual progress for Florida’s ecosystems, from the Everglades to the Indian River Lagoon. At a hearing, Rep. Mooney put it plainly: “You walk through the halls, flamingos are everywhere.”

Still, the mockingbird has its loyalists. It’s been the state bird for nearly a hundred years and has even found a second life online, showing up in memes and videos. 

The House Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee already gave the bill the green light. Next up is the State Affairs Committee. Lawmakers won’t make the final call until the 2026 legislative session, so this debate’s got a while to go.

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Under the plan, New College would receive 32 acres, dormitories, classrooms, office space and a STEM lab under construction. In exchange, New College would assume $53 million in debt tied to the USF Sarasota Manatee dormitories, according to a USF spokeswoman. About 2,000 students and 300 faculty and staff are based at the campus.

USF Board of Trustees chair Will Weatherford said the outcome will be decided during the upcoming legislative session and that USF does not control the process.

The budget language mirrors a draft bill USF shared with New College earlier this year, according to public records.

Opponents say the transfer would weaken higher education in the Sarasota region. Former USF Sarasota Manatee president Laurey Stryker said alumni and community members are again organizing against the proposal. USF officials said students, faculty and staff would be protected if a transfer occurs.

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