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This is a breeding resident species found in forests and well-wooded gardens close to forests except in the higher hills and extreme north. Other than in Sri Lanka this species is native to all the countries from the Indian Subcontinent eastwards to 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.

This is one of the most beautiful songsters in the country. Its melodious song is a common feature in most lowland forests during dawn and dusk. I have seen this species in the three large wet zone forests of Sinharaja, Knuckles and the Peak wilderness and in all the small fragmented forests such as Bodinagala, Metthirigala, Lagugama and Morapitiya in the wet zone. The highest altitude at which I have seen it so far has been at Lower Ohiya at 1400meters. I have seen it at Omanthai but never saw it in the Jaffna Peninsula or the Mannar Island.

This is a common species at Wilpattu and is found throughout the park in forested areas. However unlike the Black-naped Monarch it is seldom seen due to its retiring habits. Its call can be heard in densely forested areas such as Kaali Villu, the stretch between Nelum Wila to Panikkar Villu and on Kumbukwila Upper road.