By Sara Ballenger

Pink flamingos may soon take over the town — thanks to the Los Altos High School Marching Band.

This week kicks off the band’s “Flamingo Flocking” fund-raiser. The LAHS Instrumental Music Boosters has rented three 24-bird flocks of plastic pink flamingos which will migrate to designated yards within the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District boundaries.

Once an order for a flocking has been placed, band members will descend on the location specified by the “flockee,” or person who paid for the flocking, and set up the flamingos with a banner that reads, “You’ve been flocked by the Los Altos High School Marching Band.” A greeting card identifying the flockee will be left with the flock.

A flock of flamingos costs $35 and band members will remove them after a 48-hour stay.

The fund-raiser has been cleared with the Los Altos Police Department.

“Los Gatos High offered this idea as a fund-raising suggestion,” said self-described flock manager and parent volunteer, Sherry Auerbach. “It seemed like a good and safe way to get the kids involved in fund raising.”

Proceeds from the fund-raiser will help the boosters buy instruments, uniforms, music, give scholarships, fund competitions and more, Auerbach said.

Band Director Ted Ferrucci is grateful for their support.

“The band boosters have done so much for us, so anything we can do to help them is great,” Ferrucci said. “I hope people take an interest in it.”

So far, there has been one “flocking” ordered. Band member Brian Auerbach hopes people see the humor in it as well as wanting to support a good cause.

“It’s much better than selling chocolate. It’s like toilet-papering a house, but with flamingos,” he said.

A “Flamingo Flocking” can be ordered throughout the school year. For more information or to place an order, e-mail: