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This is a breeding resident found in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia and northern & eastern Australia.

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.

This bird can be seen through out the country from the highest hills to the arid lowlands. It is very common in all wet zone forested areas and well wooded gardens in the wet zone. It is still found in the suburbs of the city of Colombo such as Thalangama marshes, Malabe, Battaramulla and Bellanwila Attidiya. It is quite common in all the dry zone forests. In the north I have seen it at the Veravil forest at Chunnaweli below Punareen and in the Mannar Island.

This is a very fast flying bird and often get killed or injured by dashing against windows and glass panels of human dwellings.

This is a very common species in Wilpattu. They can be seen feeding on seeds and fruits on the roads and flying off as a vehicle moves close.