This endemic species is uncommon. It inhabits inland wetlands and grasslands of India (mainly near Brahmaputra and Ganges river basins), the Sunderbans of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, up to 350m asl. Breeds in wet grasslands or cultivation adjacent to cover and water. It otherwise inhabits the semi-arid grasslands, croplands, and even burnt regenerating areas that are close to waterways and cover (BirdLife International 2016). 

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 size estimated at 10,000-19,999 individuals. The threat to its persistence comes from habitat disturbance due to large-scale agriculture and other human encroachments. Species mortality became high possibly due to hunting and egg collection (BirdLife International 2016).