Leslie Massey
Queensland, a state in northeastern Australia, is known for its tropical climate and diverse natural attractions, including sandy beaches, estuaries, islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. With its capital in Brisbane, Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia, covering nearly one-fourth of the continent. The state boasts a rich array of symbols and emblems, including an official bird emblem, the brolga, which has been featured on the Queensland Coat of Arms since 1977 and was officially announced as the bird emblem in 1986.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State Bird of Queensland, Australia | Brolga (Grus rubicunda) |
| Year of Announcement as Official Bird Emblem | 1986 |
| Other Names | Native Companions |
| Habitat | Grasslands and swamps along the Queensland coast, from Rockhampton to the Gulf of Carpentaria |
| Physical Characteristics | Predominantly grey, long thin neck, bare head, prominent patch of red skin behind the eye, stand more than a metre tall on long, slender legs, outstretched wings can measure up to two metres across |
| Behaviour | Famous for their intricate dancing at mating time, involving bowing, bobbing, pirouetting, and prancing |
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What You'll Learn
Queensland's landscapes and natural wonders
Queensland, Australia is home to a plethora of landscapes and natural wonders. From the crystal-clear lakes to lush rainforests, Queensland has it all.
One of the most popular natural attractions in Queensland is the Great Barrier Reef. Lady Elliot Island, located in the Reef, is surrounded by a 'Green Zone', teeming with colourful marine life and coral reefs. Magnetic Island, also located in the Great Barrier Reef, is another popular destination, known for its secluded beaches and rugged landscapes.
For those seeking tranquil rainforests, Spicers Tamarind Retreat offers a luxurious escape. The retreat features a spa with hydrotherapy treatments, a steam room, and a mineralized pool, surrounded by lush gardens. The Daintree National Park, a World Heritage Site, offers another opportunity to explore wetland rainforests in the tropics of North Queensland. The Daintree Rainforest borders the Outback, providing a unique opportunity to experience two distinct ecosystems in one location.
Queensland also boasts impressive national parks, including Springbrook National Park, known for its waterfalls and walking paths, and the Sunshine Coast's most popular national park, offering a range of activities such as snorkelling, rock climbing, and swimming. Lake Mackenzie on Fraser Island is another natural wonder, renowned for its crystal-clear rainwater.
In addition to its natural wonders, Queensland is home to a diverse range of bird species. From the shrike-tits with their distinctive parrot-like bills to the colourful Old World orioles and the nocturnal frogmouths, Queensland's avifauna is a birdwatcher's paradise.
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Queensland's history and colonisation
Queensland has a long history, dating back thousands of years before European colonisation. The region was first inhabited by Aboriginal Australians, who were either fishing people living along the coast or mountain people occupying the more challenging central and western areas. It is estimated that around 250,000 Aborigines lived in the area that is now Queensland before colonisation.
The first Europeans to explore Queensland were Dutch, French, and Portuguese explorers in the early 1600s, though none of these groups settled. In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook claimed Australia for England, and Queensland became part of the British-administered Colony of New South Wales. This marked the beginning of European colonisation in Queensland, and the displacement of Aboriginal Australians.
In the 19th century, Queensland continued to develop economically, with the opening of the Port of Maryborough in 1847 and the arrival of the first immigrant ship to Moreton Bay in 1848. In 1851, a movement to separate Queensland from New South Wales gained momentum, and in 1859, Queen Victoria signed Letters Patent to form the colony of Queensland, with its own constitution, Legislative Council, Assembly, and Governor. Queensland became a founding state of the federal Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw several significant events in Queensland, including the Mount Mulligan mine disaster in 1921, the abolition of the Queensland Legislative Council in 1922, and the Traverston rail disaster in 1925. The state also experienced a severe drought from 1901 to 1903 and the passage of the Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act, which restricted the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal people. Additionally, around 15,000 years ago, the inland of Queensland became habitable again due to increased rainfall.
In the 20th century, Queensland continued to play a significant role in Australian politics and experienced various challenges. The state contributed troops to the Boer War in South Africa and saw the election of the world's first Labor Government into its parliament. Queensland also faced natural disasters such as Cyclone Mahina, which struck in the late 1800s or early 1900s and killed about 400 people. Furthermore, the Queensland Premier, Sir Samuel Griffith, played a role in federal politics as the President of the Federal Council.
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Austria's bird species and their characteristics
Austria is home to a diverse range of bird species, with a total of 458 species recorded as of July 2023. The country's mountainous terrain and cool climate make it an ideal habitat for several bird species, including finches, swallows, and birds of prey. Here is a closer look at some of Austria's bird species and their characteristics:
Barn Owls
Barn owls are medium to large owls with distinctive heart-shaped faces. They have strong legs with powerful talons and are nocturnal birds of prey. They are known for their excellent hunting abilities and can be found in a variety of habitats across Austria.
Hoopoes
Hoopoes are colourful birds with a unique combination of black, white, and orangey-pink plumage. They have a large erectile crest on their head and are found in various parts of Austria.
Kingfishers
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, and short legs. They are often found near water sources, as they feed on small fish and other aquatic creatures. Kingfishers can be spotted along rivers, lakes, and coastal areas in Austria.
Bee-eaters
Bee-eaters are a group of near-passerine birds characterised by their colourful plumage, slender bodies, and elongated central tail feathers. They have long downturned bills and pointed wings, giving them a swallow-like appearance. Bee-eaters can be found in southern Europe, including parts of Austria.
Cranes
Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. They are known for their elaborate courting displays and graceful flight, with necks outstretched. Cranes can be found in various habitats across Austria and are a magnificent sight to behold.
In addition to these species, Austria is also home to a variety of other birds, including ducks, geese, swans, flamingos, and several species of waders and seabirds. The country's diverse habitats provide a haven for many bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatching and nature enthusiasts alike.
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Queensland's bird species and their characteristics
Queensland, the second-largest state in Australia, boasts the greatest biodiversity, with 684 species of birds recorded. The brolga, a member of the crane family, is the official bird emblem of Queensland, featuring on the state's Coat of Arms. This elegant bird, native to Australia, is predominantly grey with a long thin neck, a bare head, and a distinctive patch of red skin behind the eye. Standing tall on slender legs, brolgas are renowned for their intricate mating dances, involving graceful bows, bobs, and pirouettes.
The state's diverse habitats, ranging from deserts to rainforests and mangrove forests, attract a variety of bird species. Among these are the swift, a small bird that spends most of its life flying, with long swept-back wings in the shape of a crescent or boomerang. Swifts never settle on the ground voluntarily, preferring to perch on vertical surfaces. Another bird of Queensland is the owl-nightjar, a small nocturnal bird related to swifts and found in the Maluku Islands, New Guinea, Australia, and New Caledonia.
The state is also home to the colourful Old World orioles, which are not related to the New World orioles. The shrike-tits, with their parrot-like bills, are another unique family of birds found in Queensland. The whistlers, shrikethrushes, and some pitohuis birds belong to the family Pachycephalidae. The boatbills, soft-plumaged woodswallows, are distributed across New Guinea and northern Queensland, with affinities to butcherbirds.
Additionally, Queensland has its fair share of introduced and accidental bird species. The cockatoo, a parrot with a characteristic curved beak and a movable headcrest, is one such example. Pigeons and doves, with their stout bodies, short necks, and slender bills, are also found in the state. Bustards, large terrestrial birds with strong legs and a penchant for pecking as they walk, are often spotted in Queensland's dry open country and steppes.
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Queensland's economy and tourism
Queensland's economy is the third-largest in Australia, with a diverse range of industries contributing to its growth. Over the past two decades, Queensland's economic growth has generally exceeded the national average, thanks to factors such as strong population growth, a resources investment boom, and a thriving mining industry. The state's main exports include coal, and it has a strong agriculture sector.
The health sector has been a significant contributor to Queensland's economy, growing by approximately 79% in real terms over the last decade. The ageing population and increasing demand for health services are expected to further boost this sector's contribution. The education and training sector is also vital, contributing $22.5 billion (4.8% of total output) in 2022-23.
However, it is the tourism industry that truly showcases the state's diverse economy. Tourism Queensland, the government agency responsible for developing the state's tourism industry, has effectively promoted the state's varied landscapes, warm climate, and natural beauty. As a result, Queensland's tourism market is the second-largest in Australia, contributing $14.2 billion to the economy in 2022-23 and accounting for 24.8% of the national tourism output. The industry directly employs thousands of people, particularly in regional areas, and supports many small businesses.
Queensland has also attracted international visitors, including foreign backpackers and students on working holiday visas, who make up a large proportion of its tourism population. The state's tourism industry is expected to continue thriving, with its beautiful beaches, mountain forests, and natural wonders attracting visitors from all over the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The Brolga, also known as the Native Companion, is the official bird emblem of Queensland, Australia.
The Brolga was featured on the Queensland Coat of Arms in 1977, and it was officially announced as the state bird emblem in January 1986.
The Brolga is predominantly grey with a long, thin neck, a bare head, and a prominent patch of red skin behind its eye. Standing at over a metre tall, the bird has a wingspan of up to two metres. Brolgas are known for their intricate dancing during mating season, involving bowing, bobbing, pirouetting, and prancing. They are native to Australia and can be found in grasslands and swamps along the Queensland coast.
