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BrolgaAlternative names: "Native Companion", "Australian Crane" Aboriginal names: "brolga", "burralga" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay] Size: 80 cm - 1.3 m; wing span 1.7 - 2.4 m |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Brolgas are found basically in the tropical north and the eastern half of the Australian continent, with the exceptions of the high ranges of the Great Dividing Range and major urban centres down the NSW coast.
Brolgas can be found in the shallows of rivers and billabongs, on grassland, including flooded grassland, but also in saltwater marshes.
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Sightings |
We saw a pair of Brolgas during a boat tour on the Yellow River in the Northern Territory (south of Jabiru) in 1997. Because of the grey colour of the legs we are sure that the specimens we saw (shown in the photos below, which are not perfect) are not Sarus Cranes.
Also seen by us in various locations, especially (near-)coastal wetlands, in central QLD in July 2009. Spotted by us in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009. Special access to the wetlands kindly granted by the owners of Capricorn Resort is most gratefully acknowledged.
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Photos |
Pair of Brolgas on a paddock - the male is seen in the foreground,
the female behind ;
photo obtained
in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009; see
credits page for
details)
Pair of Brolgas seen from behind
;
photo obtained
in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009; see
credits page for
details)
Female Brolga ;
photo obtained
in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009; see
credits page for
details)
For those who are not familiar with the size of Brolgas
- this bird is about as tall as a man
Pair of Brolgas on the Yellow River, Northern Territory
Photo of a Brolga taken in captivity
