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This is a common breeding resident found through out the country except for the higher hill Other than in Sri Lanka it is found all over India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, most parts in Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

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 seen this species in all the dry zone national parks. It is very common in Yala, Udawalawa, Bundala and Lunugamvehera National Parks. In the wet zone I have seen it at Kiriella, Meethirigala and Bodinagala. The highest altitude at which I have seen this species so far has been at 420 meters in Theldeniya. However they are known to occur at altitudes up to about 1500 meters. In the north I have seen them in the Mannar Island, Jaffna Peninsula, Delft Island and Palaithivu Island.

In this species the female is much larger and looks more impressive with a black throat patch than the smaller male. The usual duties of incubating and tending to the chicks are done by the male while the female after laying eggs takes no part in bringing up the family.

I have observed these birds engaging in dust bathing at many localities including once at Pomparippu in Wilpattu National Park

This is not a commonly seen species in Wilpattu. I have seen them at many locations but the sightings are not as regular as in the parks in the southern part of the country. I have seen them close to the park entrance, Tala Wila and at Pomparippu.