This rare species inhabits inland wetlands and scavenges in urban landfills, from the sea level up to 550m. It is migratory, breeding in India (mainly in Assam) and wintering in Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is possibly extinct in Myanmar and some other regions of India (BirdLife International 2016).
 

This species is listed as Endangered 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 800-1,200 individuals. The threat to its persistence comes from habitat disturbance due to large-scale agriculture and other human encroachments. Indian species are threatened by the garbage dumps that may have harmful pollutants. Accidental ingestion of polythene bags from the garbage dumps is also a major threat to this species (BirdLife International 2016).