This marine species can usually be found over pelagic waters but will feed inshore or in shallow offshore waters during the breeding season. It feeds mostly on crustaceans with a heavy dependance on amphipods (particularly Themisto gaudichaudii) but can also take small fish and squid. It catches prey mainly by surface-seizing, dipping and pattering at night. Breeding starts in October in loose colonies in costal areas with soft or stony soil and low vegetation. It nests in burrows (del Hoyo et al. 1992).

The Thin-billed Prion breeds the Crozet Islands and the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern Territories), the Falkland islands (Islas Malvinas) and Noir Island, Chile. Outside the breeding season it can be found over much of the Southern Ocean, including the coasts of South Africa, Australia and South America as far north as Uruguay and southern Peru.