This species is marine outside the breeding season, remaining somewhat coastal, especially in upwelling regions of the tropics and subtropics. It breeds on Arctic tundra, favouring low-lying moss tundra with pools, and hummocky areas in moist bogs.

Breeding begins in June at scattered sites across the tundra where lemming concentrations are high. Individuals are highly territorial. The nest is an unlined scrape and is inconspicuous. Clutches are normally two eggs.

Whilst breeding it specialises on catching lemmings which frequently constitute over 90% of their diet, also feeding on young waders and gamebirds, bird eggs and carrion. In winter, it takes fish, sometimes by kleptoparasitism, small seabirds, and scavenges on carrion.

Outside the breeding season, it migrates south, including long migrations over land (Furness 1996).

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 Russia.

Conservation Actions Underway
There are currently no known significant conservation measures for this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
No conservation measures are currently thought to be required for this species.