Reproduction: It lays 2 to 3 eggs. The nest is a simple hole in the ground, normally sheltered by some plant and usually on a hillside or small mount with good visibility. The breeding period varies from year to year but generally speaking the laying of eggs takes place between Februrary and March, although it can happen as late as April. However, no laying in May or June has been heard of.

The finding of eggs in the later stages of incubation in February shows that it can start laying in January. Likewise, the observation of an adult and two flying youngs in February seems to point out that occasionally some females start laying in December. These conclusions have been confirmed by the finding of nests with eggs and newly born chicks in Lanzarote in mid January 2000.

Movements: Hardly known, although it is known to fly long distances to approach feeding areas. It has been seen in autumn and winter in places that it does not visit during the breeding period. Besides, some birds have been seen flying from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura and La Graciosa. The tracking of a specimen carrying a transmitter has allowed us to confirm movements of at least 4,5 kilometres. The species possibly moves according to rain patterns.

Diet: It feeds on both animals and plants. Several authors have mentioned that, amongst other resources, it feeds on chikpeas, beans, the fruits of Lycium intricatum, snails, choleopters (included donkey or camel dung insects), caterpillars and even lizards. They have also been reported as feeding on legumes medic Medicago sp. and cosco Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum.

In research based on the analysis of stools collected in Fuerteventura in two different periods (December 1979-April 1980 and January-April 1981) it become evident that 85% of them contained insects (mainly ants of the Messor genus and choleopters of the Zophosis and Conorrhynchus (=Temnorhinus) genera ); annual plants appeared in 79% of the samples, and the frequent presence of Launaea arborescens flowers (55%) and Lycium intricatum (49%) fruits must be highlighted, as well as that of two cruciferous plants (Lobularía lybíca and Notoceras bicorne). Surprisingly enough, no snails were found in these samples although several authors maintain that the species is fond of feeding on them.