This species just enters southern Africa along the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe from the north-east to Kasane on Namibia's eastern-most border. It depends upon Hyphaene and Borassus palms but is highly localised and does not occur in the Okavango Delta where this habitat is abundant. Although it was not recorded during the 24-year SABAP1 atlas period in Namibia, isolated populations have been found on Impalila Island and near Kwetche in the Mahango area of the Bwabwata National Park, where at least one pair and possibly up to ive pairs may occur in Hyphaene palm habitat.