The brolga, formerly known as the native companion, is a bird in the crane family. It has also been given the name Australian crane, a term coined in 1865 by well-known ornithologist John Gould in his Birds of Australia.
Brolga
An 1865 brolga illustration from Birds of Australia by John Gould
Close up of the head
A pair of brolgas amongst other waterbirds in the Northern Territory
Coat of arms of Queensland
The coat of arms of Queensland is one of the formal symbols of the Australian state of Queensland and represents the King's constitutional authority throughout the state. It is the oldest of the state arms of Australia, having been granted in 1893 by Queen Victoria, through the simplest heraldic grants of only the shield of arms, motto, helmet, mantling and crest. In 1977, the red deer and the brolga were assigned as supporters by Queen Elizabeth II during her Silver Jubilee.
Proposed design "A" (Halfpay)
Proposed and ultimately selected design "B" (Halfprice)
Proposed design "C" (Iceblink)
Proposed design "D" (Icebound)