Like other cranes, they form long-lasting pair bonds and maintain territories within which they perform territorial and courtship displays that include loud trumpeting, leaps, and dance-like movements.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyCranes
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
HabitatTypically wades in shallow wetlands or in cropped agricultural areas.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from July to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Thet Zaw Naing
Range map
Range map
264visible hotspots
5789visible records
2states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Juvenile facial coloring less prominent. Unmistakable in Asia. In Australia, take care to identify from Brolga, which has black legs and gray upper neck.
Behavior
Typically wades in shallow wetlands or in cropped agricultural areas. Listen for its loud, far-carrying bugling calls.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
Northern Territory