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This is a breeding resident found throughout the lowlands up to mid hills. It is a species that occurs in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

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 through out the low lands up to the mid hills. The highest altitude at which I have seen it so far has been in the Knuckles forest reserve at Nikaloya at 1030 meters. In the wet zone I have seen it in 1997 at Wathupitawala hospital, Yapahuwa, Panduwasnywara, Warakagoda, Kitulgala, Deniyaya, Pugoda, Padukka, Mirissala and at Elpitiya. I have never seen it in the Jaffna peninsula or the Mannar Island. In the dry zone I have seen this species in open country at Aanawilundawa, Nawadankulama, Anuradapura, Wellawaya, Nilgala, Galo oya national park, Badalkumbura, Udawalawa, Arankele, Dolikanda, Kokkagala in Padiyathalawa, Ampara, Dambulla, Sigiriya and Medawachchiya ECT.

This is not a common species in Wilpattu and can be seen mostly in the Chena’s bordering the park. I have seen it at Kirimatiyana and Hunuwilagama.