It occupies small freshwater lakes, as well as pools, marshes, peatbogs and streams, being more frequent on the coast in winter where it is found in coastal lagoons, along the sea shore and especially in sheltered bays (Scott and Rose 1996, Ogilvie and Young 1998). It feeds on vegetation, insects and crustaceans (Jouventin et al. 1988). Outside the breeding season, it occurs in small parties, occasionally in concentrations of up to 200 birds on Kerguelen (Scott and Rose 1996). The breeding season is from November to the end of January or February (Scott and Rose 1996) and clutch size is a minimum of five (Jouventin et al. 1988). The upper elevational limit has not been recorded.

This species has two island subspecies in the southern Indian Ocean: nominate eatoni is confined to the Kerguelen Islands and drygalskyii to the Crozet Islands, both French Southern Territories.

Conservation Actions Underway
The species' range falls within the Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Terres Australes Française (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2025).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Eradicate cats from breeding islands where feasible, e.g. Cochons Island. Carry out monitoring to determine trends.