• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category

Although this species may have a small range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size may be small, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons, this species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The population has been estimated at 3000-4000 pairs, equivalent to 6,000-8,000 mature individuals and c.9,000-12,000 individuals in total. Following the eradication of rats and mice from the island in 2015, it is possible that the population has increased due to an increase in range size, however surveys are needed to confirm this (T. Martin in litt. 2020).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Anthus antarcticus is endemic to the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia (Georgia del Sur), with a total population estimated as 3,000-4,000 pairs (McIntosh & Walton 2000). Following the eradication of brown rats Rattus norvegicus and house mice Mus musculus (Martin & Richardson 2017), the population has likely increased. Subsequent to the eradication of invasive rodents between 2011 and 2015, this species now breeds and occurs year-round in all vegetated parts of the main island and smaller offshore islands (T. Martin in litt. 2020). 

It breeds in low altitude tussock grassland, wintering mainly on ice-free shorelines (Prince & Croxall 1983). It feeds on insects in tussock habitat, and insects and crustaceans along tidelines (J. P. Croxall in litt. 2000). In typical habitat it is common and productive, but winter survival of juveniles is low. It has almost no natural predators, remains of birds very occasionally turning up at middens of Brown Skua Catharacta lonnbergi (J. P. Croxall in litt. 2000).

Following the eradication of rats and mice from the island (Martin & Richardson 2017), there are no known threats to this species. 

Conservation Actions Underway
The eradication of rats and mice from the island was completed c.2015 (Martin & Richardson 2017). 

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to obtain an up-to-date population estimate. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. 

Text account compilers
Clark, J.

Contributors
Croxall, J., O'Brien, A., Stattersfield, A. & Taylor, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: South Georgia Pipit Anthus antarcticus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/south-georgia-pipit-anthus-antarcticus on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.