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In recent times this species has become a common winter migrant, which can be met with throughout the country. Rosy Starlings breed in the steppes, Central Asia and Southeast Europe. Even though it usually winters in India and tropical Asia during years where the locusts and grasshoppers become abundant they will visit areas well out side their wintering grounds to take advantage of the bounty.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (IUCN Red List).

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 at many locations in the dry zone including all the dry zone national parks as well as in Mannar, Chilaw, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Jaffna, Potuwil, Ampara, Battaramulla and even in the city of Colombo. During some years were large numbers arrive in the island they become even more abundant that the Common Myna. At locations such as Kumana, Bundala and Yala national park in certain years I have observed wave after wave of large flocks of these birds comprising of two to three hundred birds flying to their roosts at dusk.  In Wilpattu I have not observed them in large numbers so far from 2012 up to 2020. I have seen this species at Borupan Wila, Mollikulama and at Kudiramlei point.