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This is a very common migrant species found mostly in the dry lowlands of the country. This species breeds in the open grassy steppes and Taiga Wetlands from easternmost Europe to Central Asia. The majority of these birds arrive in Africa, India and Sri Lanka during the migrant season with a lesser number migrating to South-East Asia and Australia.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (IUCN Red List) and it is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

These elegant birds are a common sight during the winter months in dry coastal areas, lagoons, freshwater swamps and paddy fields. They are more common in the dry zone and are not found in the hills. I have seen them at all the dry zone national parks and at many localities in the coastal areas as well as the inland water bodies. They are common in Mannar and the Jaffna Peninsula in the North as well as in Kalametiya, Bundala, Yala, and Kumana in the South. In the wet zone I have observed them during the season at the paddy fields just outside the city of Colombo at Battaramulla, Pillawa, at the Attidiya Sanctuary, Talangama Marshes and Kotte Marshes.

In Wilpattu this is a common species that is found usually singly or in small groups at the edges of most large water bodies such as Mahapatessa, Kudapatessa, Kokkare Villu, Nelum Wila and Tala Wila.