The brolga, Grus rubicundus (family Gruidae), is a large grey crane characteristic of the lowland floodplains. The sarus crane Grus antigone is very similar. They differ only slightly, in the amount of red on the upper neck.

In Uw Ilbmbanhdhiy this bird is called inyjarag arrgi ibmbun idhan, which means "the bird that scratches the ground."

Brolga figures in certain traditional stories, particularly Emu and Brolga Story. This is an account of a fight between emu and brolga. Brolga's head was wounded in the fight, giving him a red mark on his head.

Traditional practice pregnant women from eating brolga and crane: arrngg ilg, ar ijal, "don't eat 'em if you're pregnant."