[2] The species is restricted to the island groups of Kerguelen and Crozet in the southern Indian Ocean.

[3] It is threatened by introduced species, particularly feral cats, which prey on it, particularly during the post-breeding molt, when it is unable to fly.

[5] The species was described by Richard Bowdler Sharpe based on specimens collected by Alfred Edwin Eaton.

[5] The Eaton’s pintail's diet mostly consists of small crustaceans and other invertebrates, but will also forage on seeds.

[5] The brown skua is a primary predator of the Eaton’s pintail, especially during its post-breeding molt when it is flightless.