Birds
South Georgia Pipit
Anthus antarcticus
Silent on the main island of South Georgia for more than a century after introduced rats wiped out its nests, a South Georgia pipit has returned in force following the largest rodent eradication project ever attempted, reclaiming ground as the only songbird that breeds south of the Antarctic Convergence.
Overview
The South Georgia pipit, Anthus antarcticus, is a Near Threatened bird native to polar and coastal habitat found only on South Georgia in the Southern Ocean. Its status as the only passerine bird breeding south of the Antarctic Convergence, its near-elimination by introduced rats, and its dramatic recovery after one of history’s largest rodent eradication projects make it one of the more remarkable conservation stories found anywhere in the Southern Ocean.
Silenced by rats, restored by their removal
For generations, the South Georgia pipit’s song survived only on small offshore islets beyond the reach of introduced rats, until a record-breaking eradication effort cleared the main island and let the species begin reclaiming territory it had not held for over a hundred years.
Status
Near Threatened, with populations having increased substantially since the successful eradication of introduced rats from South Georgia.
South Georgia Pipit: common questions
Why is the South Georgia pipit ecologically unique?
This species is the only passerine bird known to breed south of the Antarctic Convergence, an ecological boundary separating colder Antarctic waters from warmer subantarctic seas, making it unusually far south for any songbird.
What nearly caused the South Georgia pipit's extinction?
This species was nearly wiped out on the main island of South Georgia by introduced rats, which preyed on eggs and chicks and confined surviving pipits to smaller rat-free offshore islets for decades.
How did the South Georgia pipit recover?
This species recovered strongly following a multi-year project to eradicate rats from South Georgia, at the time the largest rodent eradication ever attempted anywhere in the world.
Is the South Georgia pipit spreading back to areas it once lost?
Yes, this species is now recolonising areas of the main island of South Georgia that had been without breeding pipits for well over a century, a direct result of the island's rat eradication.