After hatching, both parents feed the chicks, first by regurgitating already digested fish into the nest, then later by bringing whole fish to the young birds. Chicks may begin to leave a ground nest after 35 days, but if the nest is elevated they will not leave until their first flight at 60-80 days, during which time both parents care for the fledglings. A young brown pelican will care for itself after leaving the nest, but will not reach sexual maturity until it is 3-5 years old.