PORT PHILLIP BAY


Brolga 

Grus rubicunda

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Gruiformes
Family:
Gruidae
Genus:
Grus
Species:
rubicunda

General Description

Body grey with red-orange patch on face and behind head. Eyes yellow, legs dark grey-black. Bill grey. Up to 1.4 m tall.

Biology

Brolgas sometimes use thermal air currents when flying. On the ground, they perform dancing displays to one another, which include leaping, stepping and bowing.

Habitat

Freshwater wetlands and swamps.

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Northern and eastern Australia.

Species Group

Birds Brolgas and cranes

Max Size

1.4 m

Diet

Omnivore

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Vulnerable
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Least Concern

Author

article author Longmore, N. W.

Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author O'Brien, R.

Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Brolga, Grus rubicunda, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 27 Jul 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7873

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