The species uses marine and pelagic habitats (Carboneras et al. 2016). It comes ashore only to breed (Jouanin and Roux 1965, Jensen 1981). On the Selvagens (Portugal) egg-laying is reported mid-March to early June, with the clutch a single egg (Carboneras et al. 2016). Birds excavate long burrows in sandy soil usually among thick vegetation which conceals the entrance hole (Snow and Perrins 1998). The breeding grounds on the Selvagens have a good covering of vegetation, mostly of ice-plants (Mesembryanthemum cristallinum), the roots of which stabilize the very sandy soil (Tucker and Heath 1994). It is present on breeding islands from March to September and may disperse to areas off the east coast of North America (Carboneras et al. 2014). It feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans (Carboneras et al. 2014).

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 breeds almost entirely in Madeira (Portugal) with a small population also present in the Canary Islands (Spain).

Conservation Actions Underway
EU Birds Directive Annex I. Bern Convention Appendix II. The species is listed as Vulnerable in the Spanish Red Data Book. The current breeding colonies in Spain are covered by the ENP (Espacios Naturales Protegidos) network. In 1992 the Department of the Environment launched a program to monitor the population and breeding success of the species. The European Union has granted the governing body of Lanzarote funding for a LIFE project in the Natural Park of the Chinijo Archipelago which provided some conservation actions that benefit the species. Chief among them was the eradication of rabbits from Clara Mountain Island, which has been a great success (Madroño et al. 2004).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Human exploitation should be terminated and eradication of introduced predators on all breeding islands is also recommended (Carboneras et al. 2016). Develop and publish a Plan of Conservation for the species and ensure its guidelines are implemented. Planning tools of ENP should be developed and approved to restrict access to breeding sites. Light-reducing mechanisms should be developed in urban areas next to the breeding areas and injured birds recovered (Madroño et al. 2004). Programmes of eradication or control of cats and rabbits on islets with the species should be set up (Madroño et al. 2004, Carboneras et al.  2014) and mechanisms established to prevent the spread of potentially dangerous mammals, especially on Clara Mountain Island. Continue regular monitoring of the population and reproductive success, as well as conducting surveys in potential habitats in order to detect new colonies (Madroño et al.  2004).