This is an uncommon breeding resident species found through out the lowland water bodies and marshes. This Kingfisher is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia from Turkey to India and China.
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 at many locations in the dry lowlands including all the dry zone National Parks. In the north it is found in the Jaffna peninsula and the Mannar Island. I have also seen it in marshes and waterways in the wet lowlands including Bellanwila Attidiya, Thalangama Wetlands and Kotte Marshes. The highest altitude at which I have seen it so far has been at Udawalawa National Park at 350 meters.
This is not a common species at Wilpattu. I have seen it at Kokkare Villu and Kaali Villu.