Pelican Bone

This is the jaw bone of bilari, a species greatly respected by the Yawuru and surrounding groups. Pelecanus conspicillatus (Australian pelican), has the longest beak of any bird in the world. They are also the heaviest of all the flying birds in Australia, and it is a treat to see them take off with ease from sitting in the water. In Broome, their story is immortalised by the renowned Nyikina artist Butcher Joe Nangan, whose Pelican nurlu features dancers wearing long straw headdresses that mirror the large pelican beaks.