Exclusively marine species, occurring along rocky coasts and offshore islands. It breeds in ground burrows and cliff crevices. Outside breeding season, it is primarily pelagic (Lowther et al. 2020).
Its global range is restricted to the N Atlantic Ocean, 99% of the European population occurring in Iceland, Norway (incl. Svalbard), UK and the Faeroes (Keller et al. 2020).
Oceanic migrant, many populations migrate to offshore areas at lower latitudes after breeding season. Some movements may be result of passive drift with currents or active swimming (Lowther et al. 2020).
Its population trend in Europe is declining. Evaluated as “Vulnerable” (BirdLife International 2021).