a large grey Australian crane, Grus rubicunda, having a red-and-green head and a trumpeting call
Also called: Australian crane, native companion
Word origin
C19: from a native Australian language
brolga in American English
(ˈbrɑlɡə)
noun
a large Australian crane, Grus rubicunda, with silvery-gray plumage and a red patch on the head, noted for its elaborate courtship dance
Also called: native companion
Word origin
[1895–1900; ‹ Kamilaroi or Yuwaalaraay (Australian Aboriginal language spoken nearLightning Ridge, N New South Wales) burralga]This word is first recorded in the period 1895–1900. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Marxism, backstage, calling card, cutback, slapstick