Hurricane Idalia displaced an estimated 10,000 people when it struck north Florida last month – and apparently, directed flamingos into a corner of Alabama far from where they might otherwise be seen.

Andrew Lydeard, program coordinator for Alabama Audubon, said the majestic birds have been spotted on private property in Hale County, in west central Alabama.

According to NPR, since Idalia made landfall Aug. 30, there have been flamingo sightings in at least nine other states: Florida, Ohio, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas and Kentucky.

Those are unlikely places for the birds, which are usually found in more tropical climates.

But researchers believe these flamingos aren’t native to Florida, but to Mexico. What may have happened is that the birds were either in Yucatan, or on their way to Cuba, when the storm struck, causing them to scatter throughout the eastern U.S.

“A freshwater pond, or a catfish pond, devoid of nutrients, is probably not a preferred location for them,” Lydeard said.

Anyone seeing a flamingo should keep a good distance of about 100 yards, since the birds are not in their native habitat.

“If they have a pair of binoculars, or a good camera, they can get a good look,” he said. “The general tip I give is, if they look like they’re moving away, or have stopped doing what they’re doing, you’re probably too close.”