As my granddaughter is spending a few days with us during her school vacation, so I will share a brief post of Australia’s only endemic crane which is known as the Brolga, which we saw on several occasions during our adventure north on the Cape. This name is derived from the Indigenous Gamilaraay word burralga for this bird. We were quite excited when our guide backed up the bus having seen a parent Brolga with its youngster in a very small billabong near the road.

Parent and Younger Brolga

Brolga are usually in small to large flocks when not breeding, and spend a lot of their time in wetlands and billabongs hunting for small reptiles, frogs, small fish, water plant tubers, grains, insects, aquatic invertebrates like molluscs and crustaceans and small mammals like mice and snakes. They are known for their courting dance where they spread their wings and bow while they leap. It would appear that this father is giving tuition to its son, though I could be wrong, but the youngster does attempt to copy. Click on images to enlarge them.

father begins instruction
proceeds to demonstrate dance technique
junior has a go
father shows approval

This was a special moment for us to observe this instruction lesson, as much of bird behaviour is taught and learnt from observation of example.

Have a most enjoyable Spring or Fall as we watch the change of seasons once again and the birds take to the flyways on migration. More next post, as we continue revealing more species of birds we saw on the Cape. Check out my books HERE online as they make great unique Christmas or Birthday gifts.

Check out my website and find out how we can learn to live a more peaceful and joyful life learning life tips from the birds. Click HERE.

“My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions.” – Proverbs 2:1

“Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.” – Ecclesiastes 4:13

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Posted on 10 By aussiebirder Australian Birds Posted in Australian Birds Tagged #, , , , , , , , ,
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aussiebirder

My wife and I share a love of bird observing and bird photography which takes us all over Australia. We love sharing our experiences. Birds live in the beautiful parts of our country. We always get blessed with beautiful gifts of new birds and unexpected experiences each time we go out birding or just walking in the parks and reserves in our wonderful land. We love Australia, and the variety that each state and region offers in its wildlife and nature aspects. Join us in sharing our love. We have always found other birders enthusiastic and friendly people who appreciate the good things in life.

10 Comments »

    • Thanks Jo, yes this was a special moment we captured on the road north. We are always excited when we see Brolga. The last time we saw them dance was in the Kimberley on a Broome Observatory Bird Tour. Have a wonderful week.

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  2. What a beautiful bird. It was very interesting to learn that ‘Brolga’ derives from the language of the native people. They remind me of the Hooded & White-naped Cranes that spend the winters in the southern part of our country. We hope you are having a wonderful visit with your granddaughter.

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    • Thanks Takami, yes they are a very elegant and graceful bird which is famous for its dance. Many school children had to learn the song ‘The Carol of the Birds’ which you can look up. We just returned from delivering my granddaughter back home after a lovely few days with her. Enjoy your weekend.

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  4. What a great moment to enjoy. And to share.
    They are such awesome creatures and to see their elegance in a dance is breathtaking to say the least. That such a big bird can be so elegant and graceful almost floating feather-like is special to observe.
    Around 100 years ago they were quite prolific around the Geelong and Bellarine peninsula But sadly development took over.
    I had a birding friend who was a young schoolgirl in the 1920s and would see them as she walked to school. She just thought they part of the scenery.

    We have been fortunate at the WTP to have a small flock, slowly build up numbers. Regretably their young are taken by foxes, but one or two have survived to add to the numbers.

    Great post, Ashley, made me smile.

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    • Thanks David, for sharing about the past. It must have been wonderful to see Brolga dancing in the local towns. I heard that the Riverina farmers killed hundreds of them because they stole their fruit and they are trying to bring them back there in some way. I loved your previous posts on the Brolga in the WTP, especially with the ball passing. We did enjoy seeing them again on the Cape in several locations by billabongs. My wife was sad that we did not see our target bird the Palm Cockatoo, they are very unpredictable and also dropping in numbers. Enjoy your week my friend.

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