Small islands in the middle of the ocean often have species that can only be seen on that island, the so-called endemics. For birdwatchers usually a reason to visit an island like that, as it’s another tick on their list that they can only get there. South Georgia has several endemic (sub)species of bird: the South Georgian Shag, the South Georgian Diving-petrel, the South Georgian Pipit and the South Georgian Pintail (yes, they are very inventive with names).

The South Georgian Pintail is the only species of duck that breeds on the islands. It is one of the very few (if not only) carnivorous species of duck, as they are sometimes seen feeding on seal carcasses. Most of the time, however, they feed on plants found along the waterside.