Antigone rubicunda
Least Concern
Known as Australia's very own dancing crane, the Brolga is a majestic bird renowned for its elaborate courtship rituals. With its distinctive grey plume and a head adorned with a patch of red, this bird is a captivating sight in wetlands and grasslands across Australia and New Guinea. The Brolga's trumpeting call and graceful dance have secured its spot as an iconic symbol of the Australian outback.
Males and females have similar plumage
Grey
Grey
Red, White
Red, White
Grey
Grey
Long
Grey
Grey
Grey
Grey
Reddish skin on the head
Less pronounced than adults
Long, Grey
Grey
100cm to 130cm
Length
200cm to 230cm
Wingspan
3.6kg to 8.7kg
Weight
Click on an image below to see the full-size version
Juvenile Brolga
Brolga in-flight
Family of Brolgas foraging
Brogla in-flight
Brolga walking through natural habitat
Portrait of a Brolga
Trumpeting call
Loud and distinctive
Loud, trumpeting
Feeding during the day, roosting at night
Gregarious, forming large flocks
Defends breeding territory
Moves locally in response to food availability
Generally peaceful, but can be aggressive during breeding
Plants, Insects, Crustaceans
Forages on land and in shallow water
Daytime
Pecking and probing
Diet varies with habitat and season
None known
On the ground, near water
Large mound of vegetation
Varies with location
One
Large, white cream with reddish brown markings
100mm x 60mm
Usually 2 eggs
Around 30 days
Around 100 days
Both parents incubate and care for young
Australia, New Guinea
Wetlands, marshes, grasslands
Sea level to 1000m
Moves locally in response to food availability
Wetlands, Grasslands
Tropical, Temperate
Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.
Breeding
Non-breeding
10
25
33 year(s)
3-4 year(s)
3-4 year(s)
Monogamous, often returning to same breeding site each year
No significant changes
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
Habitat loss, collision with power lines
Protected in Australia, habitat conservation efforts
Population decreasing due to habitat loss and changes
Other names:
Australian Crane
Family:
GruidaePopulation size:
20000-100000
Population trend:
Decreasing
Conservation status:
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
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