There are few animals as graceful as swans, or as beautiful as flamingos. Unfortunately, it is their grace and beauty that makes these birds popular as ornamental animals.

In Florida, flamingos, black (Australian) swans, mute swans, peacocks, and other birds can be found at hotels and resorts, golf courses, and in residential developments. Purchased for display, as “ornaments” in ponds, they are often neglected and subject to abuse.

Ornamental birds are denied their natural habitat and natural behaviors. The feathers of these birds are usually clipped, a permanent amputation that prevents them from flying. Birds that were born to fly great distances instead remain flightless.

left: Swan investigates a soda can tossed in a pond at a restaurant in Boca Raton.

As with any animal, proper care for large birds takes knowledge, commitment and resources that are unfortunately often lacking. Ornamental birds suffer from an inadequate diet of white bread and handouts, and from fertilizers and other harmful chemicals that end-up in ponds. When they become too expensive to care for, or when their novelty wears off (swans can live over 25 years), they can end up penned in horrible conditions or abandoned.

Ornamental birds often have little fear of humans, and have become victims of human cruelty. In Florida, they have also fallen prey to dogs and alligators, and suffered injuries from fishing hooks, vehicles and golf balls.

What You Can Do
— Never buy an ornamental animal.* If your community is considering acquiring swans, flamingos or other birds, please contact ARFF.

— If your community has ornamental birds, make sure they are properly cared for and are prevented from reproducing. Bird populations can be controlled humanely by treating eggs to prevent them from hatching.

*In Florida, possession of swans, flamingos and other waterfowl requires a state license. The possession of some species of ornamental birds also requires a federal permit.