Brolga: Icon Threatened

Brolga: icon threatened

species Blair L. Photo:

Scientific name: Grus rubicundus Other common names: Australian Crane, Native Companion Conservation status: Vulnerable in NSW

How do I recognise it? across the wetlands of northern and south-eastern Australia, the Brolga The Brolga is a large, stately, long- has suffered a severe contraction legged bird. Standing 1.4m tall, it of its range. While still common is one of Australia’s largest flying across northern Australia (northern birds with a wing-span of up to population estimated at greater 2.5m. Unmistakable because of its than 20,000) it has disappeared size and silver-grey plumage it has a Dancing Brolga (Photo: D. Simpson) from coastal regions in central/ band of bare red skin which extends southern NSW and eastern Vic, from the beak around the head. The roots, large insects and their larvae, and is now rare across most of crown of the head is grey, as is the molluscs, crustaceans, spiders, frogs, its previous south-eastern range ear. It legs are dark grey to black. lizards, small rodents, grain (wheat, (southern population estimated at rice) and rarely fish. Brolgas will approximately 1,000). Where does it live? forage on both wet and dry ground It is estimated that 50% of and often dig for food items. The Brolga is a wetland bird; wetlands within NSW has been preferring open swamps, shallow lost or degraded since European lakes and lagoons, adjacent Why is it threatened? settlement. The decline in Brolga numbers has been directly attributed grasslands and cultivated/cropped Once widespread and abundant areas. The Brolga nests on large to this loss and degradation which platforms in shallow water (less Brolgas inhabit wetlands and their surrounds (Photo: P Spark / North West Ecological Services) than 30cm deep) protected by wetland vegetation such as Canegrass, Lignum and sedges. Typically Brolgas pair for life and return to the same nesting site year after year. What does it eat? Brolgas feed on seeds, tubers, and

Factsheet 10 is the result of; river regulation, water diversion, • Connect isolated wetland areas to other habitat pollution, siltation, salinisation, land clearing and patches by planting corridors of local native plant overgrazing. Brolgas have also been adversely impacted species. by stock trampling nests, chemical use near wetlands • Control foxes, pigs, feral dogs and cats in wetland (herbicides, pesticides) and predation by introduced areas. species (foxes, pigs, dogs and cats). • Desex domestic dogs and cats and keep indoors at night. Why is our catchment important? • Protect known nesting sites from disturbance including removing stock during breeding. The Border Rivers Gwydir Catchment supports a wide variety of wetland areas (wet grassland, swamps, • Regulate burning activities to retain wetland billabongs, lagoons and lakes) essential for this species, vegetation (reed beds, Lignum). including the internationally Ramsar listed Gwydir • Report all sightings of Brolgas to the Department Wetlands, and nationally listed; Mother of Ducks of Environment and Climate Change. Lagoon and Dangar’s Lagoon on the tablelands and Morella Watercourse/Boobera Lagoon/Pungbougal But wait there’s more... Lagoon near Boggabilla. By protecting and improving habitat for the Brolga, you are also protecting and improving habitat for a whole suite of other threatened and declining plants and animals dependent upon wetlands and wetland vegetation including: Freckled Duck, Blue-billed Duck, Latham’s Snipe, Black-necked Stork, Green and Golden Bell Frog and Painted Snipe.

Brolgas grazing (Photo: P Spark / North West Ecological Services)

What can I do? • Retain and improve wetland areas. References • Maintain and/or reinstate natural water flows into and out of wetland areas. Ayers D, Nash S and Baggett K (1996) Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. NSW NPWS, Hurstville, NSW. • Control grazing in and around wetlands, and wherever possible provide alternative stock DECC (2007) Threatened Species Profile – Brolga. NSW watering points. Department of Conservation and Climate Change website: www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/ • Protect wetlands from pollution. profile.aspx?id=10382

• Avoid using herbicides, pesticides and other Olsen P and Weston M (2004) The State of Australia’s Birds 2004 chemicals near wetland areas. – Water, Wetlands and Birds. Supplement to Wingspan, Vol.14, • Encourage regeneration of trees and shrubs in and No.4, December 2004. around wetland areas. USGS (2007) Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan – Brolga (Grus rubicunda). www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/ cranes/grusrubi.htm