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This is a common breeding resident in the dry lowlands and less common in the wet lowlands up to mid hills. This species is also found south of the Sahara in Africa and south of the Himalayas in India down to Sri Lanka. Three subspecies have been recognized. C. j. serratus is found in South Africa and southern Zambia. C. j. pica occurs in Africa south of the Sahara to north Zambia and Malawi, northwest India to Nepal and Myanmar. C. j. jacobinus is found in south India, Sri Lanka & south Myanmar.

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 throughout the dry lowlands and on a few occasions in the wet lowlands as well. It usually seen in thorny, dry scrub or open woodlands studded with trees and bushes and avoids dense forest. In the wet zone I have seen it at Attidiya and Randenigala. It is common in the Mannar Island and in the Jaffna peninsula. I have recorded it from the Delft Island as well.

This is not a commonly seen species in Wilpattu. It can be seen in the dry open areas bordering the park and in open areas within the park.