There are 3 species of Ibis in SE Arnhem Land – the Glossy Black, White and Straw-necked Ibis. All are currently given “group” names in language (below).

Language:                                Name                                     

Kriol:                                          Aibis 

Marra:                                       Garrularna

Ritharrŋu/Wägilak:                 Djulubu

Ngandi:                                     A-girijigiriji (glossy ibis); Gu-jurlubu

Wubuy:                                     Juluwu (straw-necked ibis); Garraalag (white ibis)

Ngalakgan:                              Girnalk (white ibis or straw necked ibis)  

Alawa:                                      Gurndindin; Gurlmarna 

Rembarrnga:                           Galamurn; Jurlubu

English:                                     Ibis           

Scientific:                                  Threskiornithinae

Group name for birds

Marra              Rayi

They live in wet and dry grasslands and wetlands. They are nomadic moving in search of good habitat.

They feed on insects (especially grasshoppers), frogs, small reptiles and mammals.

They form large breeding colonies often with White Ibises. They form low nests of trampled reeds and sticks over water and are used over many years. Both sexes build nests, sit on eggs and feed the young.

Body size: 65-75cm
Bare black head; long down-curved black bill; pale neck and white belly feathers; glossy blue- black wings and back.