The species uses relatively productive lakes and rivers in Iceland. It is a hole-nesting species using natural holes in lava fields and nest boxes erected on farmhouses at the edge of the breeding area (Tucker and Heath 1994). It winters mainly on ice-free fresh water in the breeding area but small numbers winter on other partly ice-free fresh waters, mostly within the volcanic zone (Gardarsson 1978). Laying is usually from mid-May although slightly earlier if using nest boxes. It lays 8 to 11 eggs (Carboneras and Kirwan 2018). It feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates (Tucker and Heath 1994). It is largely sedentary in Iceland (Carboneras and Kirwan 2018)

Although the generation length for both EU and Europe regional assessments were calculated using the same methodology, new information arriving after the EU assessments were undertaken gave rise to an update in the generation lengths. This new information was then used for the Europe level assessments giving rise to a difference between the generation lengths used for the EU and Europe regions.

In Europe, this species only breeds in Iceland. Contrary to the populations found in North America, the Icelandic population is sedentary. The species may have previously bred in south-west Greenland, but it has not been sighted there since 1966 (Billerman 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
Bern Convention Appendix II. CMS Appendix II. The species is fully protected from hunting in Iceland (Carboneras and Kirwan 2018).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Research should be undertaken into the species's ecology, habitat and foraging needs. An assessment of the impacts of S. salar introduction and sediment dredging should be made as well as ensuring the sustainability of local egg harvesting. Research studies into the causes of the population sexual imbalance should be developed.