Extended Data Table 1.
Indigenous names for Greater bilbies
| Language group (and area) | Bilby and related names |
|---|---|
| Pintupi (Great Sandy Desert) | Ninu, Natari, Taaalku, Kuninka |
| Pintupi (Great Sandy Desert) | Patiri ~ bandicoot’s tail |
| Warlpiri (Tanami desert) | Walpajirri |
| Warlpiri, eastern | Pingki-tawutawu |
| Manjilyjarra, Martu wangka | Mankarr |
| Martu dialect | Kulkawalu |
| Martu at Birriliburu | Muntalngaku * |
| Ngaanyatjarra (Warburton region) | Marrura, Ninu |
| Warlmanpa (NNW Tennant Creek) | Warrikirti |
| Anmatyerr (Ti Tree region) | Angkay |
| Pitjantjatjara (South Australia) | Ninu |
| Yankunytjarra | Tjalku |
| Walmajarri | Nyalku/Nyarlku/Nyarlgoo/Kurrmili |
| Walmajarri (Ngurrara) | Mirtuluju |
| Ullaroi/Yuwaalayaay (NW NSW) | Bilba |
| Kimberley language names | Nyarlku/ Nyarlgu, Nyarlgoo, Nyarlku, Nalgo, Nalgo-midi, Jitarru/Jidardu, Kurmili, Kurrmili, Mirtulurtu, Birndirdiri, Yawuri, Gurmin |
| To be determined | Yinpu |
| To be determined | Nirlyari |
| To be determined | Jawinji |
| To be determined | Jirrartu |
| Kimberley language | Birndirdiri |
| Bilby and bilby tail names from other Central Australian languages | |
|
Alyawarr (Sandover) |
Ahert |
|
Arrernte (Alice Springs region) Western, Central, Western C. Strehlow |
Ahert, Kere Aherte Kere angkaye Ngkaye, Kere ngkaye Inkaia Albitja |
| Arrernte (Alice Springs region) | Alpirte, Alpitye |
| Kayteye (Barrow Creek region) | Artnangke |
| Kayteye (Barrow Creek region) | Alpite |
| Jingulu & Mudburra (Elliott region) | Yarningki |
| Kuwarri (Elliott region) | Yalbawurrini |
| Alekerange area | Jawinji, Walpajirri, Nini, Ngarlaparaji, Pingki-tawu-tawu (all the same animal) |
| Nyungar/ Nyoongar (SW WA) | Dalgayt/ Dalgyte/Dalgite/Dol-goitch |
| Antikirinya (Port Augusta) | Malku (Bilby or possibly Bilby-tail) |
| Ooldea | Milbu (Bilby tail) |
Greater bilbies are culturally important to many Indigenous Australians and go by many names. Listed below are some of the names given to the Greater bilby by mobs across Australia, modified from the report produced as part of the Ninu Festival at Kiwirrkurra in 20161. This is by no means a comprehensive list but rather represents the many Indigenous communities of which this species has cultural importance and value, including giving a separate name to the bilby tail in some languages.