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This is a very common resident species found throughout the country except for the highest hills. Other than in Sri Lanka it is found in Iraq, Iran, the Arabian Gulf, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan and Baluchistan.

Four subspecies have been recognized. The subspecies V.i. lankae is endemic to Sri Lanka. V.i. aigneri breeds from South-eastern Turkey to Pakistan and V.i. atronuch from North-eastern India to China, South-east Asia, the Malay Peninsula and in Nothern Sumatra. Subspecies V.i. indicus breeds from Central Pakistan to Nepal, North-eastern India and Bangladesh.

The conservation status of the species under reference 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 commonest birds in the country and is found even in the city of Colombo. It is very common in the lowlands and lower hills throughout the country. It is even found  in  cricket grounds in the city of Colombo.

This is a very common species at Wilpattu and is found inhabiting all the open areas of the park.