CORONADO, Calif. — The flamingo is not native to San Diego but can still be spotted here in the wild.
At least two of these elusive pink birds hang out in Imperial Beach, and maybe a third in Coronado.
San Diegans are familiar with the white egret and red-tailed hawk in the wild, but not the pink flamingo.
"It would be unusual; that's why I keep my eye out," Rudy Diaz said while on the bike path in Coronado.
Kim Coker said, "I've seen one for sure."
Pink feathers, black beak, usually standing on one leg, are closer to South America or the Caribbean, though—not San Diego.
"Super cool to know they're out and about around here," Coker added.
CBS 8 drove from Imperial Beach to Coronado, stopping along the bike path, lookout points, and all through the Cays.
"I first heard about them on the news. I know there are two; now you're telling me there might be a third," Diaz said.
The two regulars are nicknamed Floyd and Flo. They have been consistently spotted near the Silver Strand for at least six years. Where they came from remains a mystery.
"I have heard the rumors that one of ours escaped many years ago," Jonathan Litvack said, who is the General Manager for the Coronado Island Resort and Spa.
Back in 1987, the Coronado Marriott had 12 flamingos there to greet guests. In 2019, there were nine flamingos. Today there are six of the originals left. They can live up to 70 years in captivity. The General Manager said some were victims of coyotes, but the others still have the freedom to fly.
"As far as the wings, we don't readily clip them; they are capable of flying—but they're really smart; they know to stay here," Litvack said.
Other theories are that they're from someone's private collection, migrated from somewhere else, or are escapees from the Zoo or SeaWorld; however, both say they're confident all their birds are accounted for.