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This is a breeding resident speceis found throughout the island exept for the highest hills. It is common in the dry lolands but small populations can be observed in the wet lowlands including the city of Colombo. It is widespread in the Indian Sibcontinent and is also native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

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.

The subspecies S. f. leucopterus is endemic to the country. This species was absent from our home garden in Colombo 08 for almost a decade but since 2021 a pair had moved into the area and I’m very pleased to hear their calls every morning. The species have been present since then up until the date of writing this note in mid 2024. Around Colombo I have seen it in Fort, Battaramulla, Moratuwa and at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital premises. In the dry zone It is one of the most common species invariably found close to most human habitations.

It is a common species in most open localities in and around Wilpattu National Park.