Listen to the World's Loudest Bird Call Ever Recorded, Which Can Rival Even a Jet Engine.
The White Bellbird does not just sing, it blasts through the forest like a living siren. With a snowy body, a dangling black wattle, and a call that can rival a jet engine, this unusual bird has earned a reputation few species could ever match.
Found mostly in the Guianas, with smaller populations in Venezuela and Brazil, the male White Bellbird is the one making all the noise. Its call has been recorded at an astonishing 125 decibels, which helps explain why it has become such a standout in the bird world.
From its striking appearance to its ear-splitting song, this bird is full of surprises. Read on to see why the White Bellbird keeps getting attention for all the loudest reasons.
The Majestic White Bellbird (Procnias albus).
The White Bellbird is one of the four species of the genus Procnias and is a member of the Cotinga family.
The White Bellbird is so distinctive that you wouldn't confuse it with anything else if you were to come across it.
Males have a snowy white appearance and a black beak with a long black wattle, which is sparsely coated in the same snowy white feathers as the rest of the bird. This wattle hangs from the top of its beak and usually dangles from the right side.
The female Bellbird has a different appearance from the male.
Females are drably dressed in olive color with yellow streaks on their bellies.
How loud is the White Bellbird?
Quite.
The White Bellbird has the most powerful song of any bird ever recorded. In the larynxes of these creatures, scientists have found a special organ attached to it, called the Syrinx. This allows them to produce deafening sounds that can be heard from hundreds of miles away. Its volume peaks at 125 decibels, that's the level where pain begins. To a human, the peculiar shriek would sound louder than a jackhammer or an eight-lane highway.
And if you love rare sightings, this echoes the buzz over a yellow cardinal in Alabama.
The Guianas is home to the vast majority of these birds, with smaller numbers found in Venezuela and the Brazilian state of Pará.
It's well-known that only the female takes care of the nest and hatchlings. The mother adheres to a strict fruit diet for her hatchlings.
According to available data, the White Bellbird population is stable. However, deforestation may contribute to a decline in the future.
Listen to the world's loudest bird (This is recorded at a safe distance. At full power, the noise could be harmful to humans.)
Overall, the White Bellbird is a true showstopper, with both its appearance and the noise it produces. This is one of nature's most impressive creatures and a perfect example of why we should care for our wildlife.
Have you ever seen one? What about this bird is impressive or fascinating to you? Let us know in the comments!
Want more bird drama? See the surreal photo that won Bird Photographer Of The Year 2025.
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