South Georgia pipit
Antarctica's only songbird, endemic to the South Georgia archipelago.
The South Georgia pipit (Anthus antarcticus) is a small bird, about the size of a sparrow, that lives exclusively on the South Georgia archipelago near the Antarctic Peninsula. It holds the distinction of being the only songbird in Antarctica, the sole passerine on South Georgia, and one of the few non-seabird species in the region. Its nest is built from dried grass, often tucked inside tussac grass, and it typically lays four eggs each year. The pipit’s diet consists of small insects, spiders, and items found in beach debris.
This species was first scientifically described in 1884 by German ornithologist Jean Cabanis, using a specimen collected on South Georgia. Its scientific name, *Anthus antarcticus*, comes from the Latin word for "southern" or "antarctic." It is also sometimes called the Antarctic pipit.
Physically, the South Georgia pipit is a stocky bird, measuring about 17 cm (6.7 in) long and weighing around 36 g (1.3 oz). It has long legs, a long hindclaw, and a short tail. Its upper body is dark brown to blackish, with cream or buff-colored feather edges that create a heavily streaked look. The underside is whitish or buff, also marked with dark streaks.
The pipit has faced threats from rats, mice, and reindeer introduced by humans to South Georgia, as well as from human-caused environmental damage. It became the symbol for the South Georgia Heritage Trust’s Habitat Restoration project, which began eradicating rats in 2011. The baiting phase ended in early 2015, and success was confirmed in 2018. In 2000, the population was estimated at 6,000 to 8,000 mature individuals. Before the restoration, sightings were rare, mostly on rat-free Prion Island. Since then, numbers have risen noticeably, and visitors now see the pipit much more often.
- Scientific name
- Anthus antarcticus
- Length
- 17 cm (6.7 in)
- Weight
- 36 g (1.3 oz)
- Eggs per year
- 4
- Population estimate (2000)
- 6000 to 8000 mature individuals
- Conservation threat
- Introduced rats, mice, reindeer, and human environmental damage
Lore & Background
The South Georgia pipit was formally described in 1884 by the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis based on a specimen collected on South Georgia. Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin word antarcticus, meaning 'southern' or 'antarctic', and it is also known as the Antarctic pipit. The species has long legs and a long hindclaw and a short tail, with upperparts dark brown to blackish and cream- to buff-colored margins on the feathers, making it look heavily streaked. Its underparts are whitish or buff in color with dark streaks.
Reader's Guide
The South Georgia pipit has been threatened by the human introduction of rats, mice, and reindeer to South Georgia, as well as environmental damage caused by humans. It was chosen as the poster bird of the South Georgia Heritage Trust's Habitat Restoration (Rat Eradication) project, which started eradicating rats on South Georgia in 2011. The project's baiting phase ended in early 2015, and success was confirmed in 2018. Prior to the restoration it was rare to see South Georgia pipits, most often on the rat-free Prion Island. Afterwards their numbers have increased noticeably and are much more often seen by visitors. This species is significant as the only passerine and songbird in Antarctica, and its recovery demonstrates the positive impact of targeted invasive species removal on a vulnerable endemic bird.
Did You Know?
- It is the only songbird in Antarctica.
- It lays four eggs a year.
- It feeds on small insects and spiders, and beach debris.
- It was chosen as the poster bird of the South Georgia Heritage Trust's rat eradication project.
More in Birds of subantarctic islands 1-24
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