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This is a breeding resident species found mostly in the dry lowlands of the country. It is confined to Southern India and Sri Lanka.

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 observed this species at all the national parks and protected areas of the dry lowlands in the country including Yala, Udawalawa, Lunugamvehera, Wasgomuwa, Bundala, Kumana, Minneriya, Kaudulla, Galoya and Ritigala. The highest altitude at which I had recorded this species so far has been in the Knuckles Forest reserve at 720 meters from sea level. I have also recorded this species at Theldeniya at 420 meters and at Badalkumbura at an altitude of 382 meters. It is mostly found in open scrubland areas, chenas, coconut plantations, sugarcane plantations, forest patches around village tanks and wherever there is adequate forest cover. In the wet zone I have seen it at Ambepussa forest of the Sinha Regiment. I have seen it in the Palaithivu island off the Jaffna peninsula in 2011. It is a shy bird that would quickly disappear into the thicket upon being detected. In the north I have seen it in the Mannar Island and the Jaffna Peninsula. These malkohas feed on insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates.

This is a common species in and around Wilpattu and is found throughout the park. Often you see them flying across the road during a game drive and disappear in to a thickly foliaged tree. The best time to photograph this species is immediately after a shower where they would come out and perch on an exposed branch to dry their wings.