Skip to main content

Get Involved
Get eNews
Donate
Donate

Birds
Live Cams
Courses
Merlin Bird ID

Donate
Donate

Brown Pelican Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Agonistic sound (Atlantic)
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
Yucatán, December 20, 2017Recorded by Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library
Begging calls (Atlantic)
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
Louisiana, June 08, 1988Recorded by Ted Parker / Macaulay Library
Begging calls (California)
0:00
Media Player Error
Update your browser or Flash plugin
Baja California, May 03, 2014Recorded by Nuria Meza / Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Calls

Adults are silent except during wing-jerking displays, which force air from their lungs and produce a low, hoarse sound. Nestlings use a shrill, rasping squawk to beg for food.

Other Sounds

When defending its nest, the Brown Pelican snaps its bill together with a loud popping sound that resonates in its throat pouch.

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Compare the American White Pelican Breeding adult to the Brown Pelican

American White Pelican

Compare the Double-crested Cormorant Breeding adult to the Brown Pelican

Double-crested Cormorant

Compare the Black-footed Albatross Adult to the Brown Pelican

Black-footed Albatross

Looking for ID Help?

Our free app offers quick ID help with global coverage.

Try Merlin Bird ID

Species in This Family

Pelicans(Order: Pelecaniformes, Family: Pelecanidae)

American White Pelican

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read

Living Bird MagazineHow Do Birds Survive the Winter?
How to Recognize Duck Courtship Displays
How long do birds incubate their eggs and how long do chicks stay in the nest?
Bird AcademyAll About Feathers
Feeding Hummingbirds
I’m seeing fewer birds in my yard. Is something affecting their populations?

About Us
Citizen Science
Lifelong Learning
Publications
Explore More
Support Our Cause

Contact Us
Web Accessibility Assistance
Privacy Policy
Terms of use
Site Credits

Follow us

© 2025 Cornell University

Search for species name or keywords

Or Browse Bird Guide by Family or Shape

Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin

Don't miss a thing! Join our email list

The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.

Email Address*