Brolga Bird:

The Brolga (Grus rubicund) is one of the largest flying birds found in Australia, commonly called as Australian Crane. Brolga is one of the cranes which are found in Australia, the other crane is known as Sarus. The brolga, also the official bird emblem of the state of Queensland, is a tall and slender light-grey coloured crane. Both male and female brolgas have similar appearance except for the fact that males are a bit larger than their female partners. The brolga is a gregarious wetland bird species with a patch of red skin on their heads.

Here are a few quick key facts about brolga:

• Social creatures: Brolgas are social birds and mostly live in a large flock which is led by a male Brolga. They make a large family and may leave their natural habitat outside breeding season. Brolgas usually fly to very high altitudes in search of cool air.  However, once their breeding season approaches they always prefer to come back to their natural habitat.
• Habitat: These birds nest in freshwater marshes and large open wetlands, preferably lakes, grassland, and irrigated croplands that occur primarily close to permanent open water which is in association with vegetation. They can also survive in marginal brackish and salty wetlands. They are the only creatures with the unique feature of having a gland in the corner of their eyes. This helps in passing out the excessive salt.
• Eating habits: Brolgas are omnivorous; however, they prefer swollen tubers from vegetative plants. They eat a variety of food items including grass, wetland plants, small fishes, small reptiles, crustaceans, roots, small lizards, and insects.  They usually feed during the daytime and generally go very far in search of food.
• Lifetime partners/lifelong commitment: Brolgas choose a mate for life time and mostly isolate their territory which is protected by both the partners. Their mating season is generally winter (November-December). Both female and male partners take up the responsibility to incubate the two eggs which almost take a month to hatch.
• Mating Dance: During their mating season they display graceful dancing skills. They are popularly known for their intimate mating dance. Brolgas may dance solely for the opposite genders but generally they dance in pairs. At times a dozen of them dance together, by stretching their wings and dramatically shaking their head. These birds have trumpet like loud calls which they make during flight, rest and especially during the courtship display.
• Threats to the species: The threats to the survival of these birds include loss of freshwater habitats. It is crucial to protect the wetlands and encourage predator control by landowners, for retaining the suitable breeding habitats.