This is a very common breeding resident through out the island. Globally it is found from Pakistan to south China 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.
This is a very common species found in open fields, Marshes and grasslands from the lowlands to the highest hills. In the north I have seen it in the Delft Island, Jaffna Peninsula and found it very common in the Mannar Island. It is common in all the dry zone national parks. It can be seen at Kotte, Nawala, Thalangama and Benllanwila Attidiya close to the city of Colombo. In March 2004 I saw this species down Maclam road on the grasslands around the Beira Lake. But as these lands have now been used for development the bird have disappeared from this locality.
This is a very common species in the open grasslands at Wilpattu. It is very common at Pallekandal Pitiya, Pomparippu and at Periya Villu.