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This is a breeding resident of northern and north - westerns dry areas of the country. Other than in Sri Lanka this species is also found in tropical southern Asia from Southwest Iran across to India and east to Southern China and Indonesia.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

I have recorded this bird from Settikulam and Murunkan areas through Mannar up to Jaffna peninsular. It is very common in the Mannar Island. I have also seen it around Anuradapura.

Around Wilpatttu I have seen this species between Nawagaththegama and Saliya Wewa and at Thabbowa sanctuary.  It is commonly seen perched on the electricity cables just before the park entrance at Hunuwilagama and in the Chena’s in the bordering the park. In side the park it is restricted to large open areas such as Maha Wewa and cannot be seen in the dense jungle areas.