This species breeds in the Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere. Birds breeding in northern Europe tend to remain near the colony year-round. Migratory populations also use the Atlantic coast of Europe down to Brittany, France including the United Kingdom and Ireland (Burger and Gochfeld 2014). Preferred habitat includes coasts, bays, harbours, landfill sites and fishing wharves. It breeds on cliffs in the Arctic and subarctic, mainly in the coastal zone or a few kilometres inland, particularly near human settlements, and often near gull or goose colonies; also on islands offshore or in lakes (Burger and Gochfeld 2014). It feeds on fish, molluscs, crustaceans, rodents, birds, eggs and young of birds (especially ducks, auks, shorebirds), insects, berries, carrion, refuse and offal. In Iceland it consumes blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), Littorina palliata, crabs (Hyas), sea-urchins and sand eels (Ammodytes). In winter, southernmost birds feed mainly at rubbish dumps, behind ships, at sewage outfalls, and on fish offal; also exploits spawning squid, pelagic crabs, mammal carcasses, and occasionally faeces of marine mammals.

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, the species breeds primarily in Greenland, with significant populations in the European part of Russia, as well as on Svalbard and Jan Mayen, and Iceland.

Conservation Actions Underway
The species is covered under the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement. There are 16 Important Bird Areas which include this species. Within the EU there are 3 Special Protection Areas which include this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitoring of contaminant build up within individuals; Identification of important sites (breeding and at sea) and designation as protected areas.