These seabirds are monogamous and breed in colonies. Their breeding season lasts from late February to mid-July, although adults return to their nesting sites from October onwards. They build their nests in burrows or crevices among cliffs and rocky slopes. During the breeding season, they can often be seen from the coast in flocks, particularly at dawn and dusk. Each pair lays a single large white egg between late February and mid-March. The egg is incubated for about 50 days, hatching by late April, and the chick fledges between June and July. Both parents share the responsibilities of incubation and chick rearing. This species produces only one egg per year, as raising a chick requires a large amount of energy and a replacement egg cannot be laid if the original one is lost.

These seabirds feed at sea during the day and return to their breeding cliffs at night. Their diet mainly consists of small fish and squid, which they catch by diving to depths of up to 50 metres.

The Yelkouan Shearwater is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN list of conservation. Locally they are protected by law and BirdLife Malta are the NGO carrying out most of the conservation work for this species. Conservation efforts have shown promising results. At breeding colonies where rodent management programmes have been implemented, populations have begun to recover. However, further action is needed, particularly to reduce light pollution and protect the marine areas where these seabirds forage. If you find a bird that has become stranded or injured, please contact BirdLife Malta.