This is an uncommon and tallest flying avian species. It is distributed in patches throughout its native range. It generally inhabits inland wetlands and marshes, while Australian and Southeastern population prefers semi-arid grasslands. It is a resident species that may show local short-distance movements within Indian subcontinent. It breeds in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Australia during the wet season, and wintering during the dry season. This species has now possibly undergone extirpation from Pakistan (BirdLife International 2016).

Conservation Status:
 

This species is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).


According to the IUCN Red List Assessment, the population of this species is declining, with the current population estimate of 13,000-15,000 individuals. The threat to its persistence comes from habitat disturbance due to large-scale agriculture and other human encroachments. Another major threat is the ingestion of toxic components (used to treat livestock) and hunting of adults along the migratory route (BirdLife International 2001).