This naturally rare, bird-eating species has a wide range over tropical African woodlands, but has a highly restricted range in southern Africa. It is widely scattered in Zimbabwe, and vagrant to South Africa and the Chobe woodlands of Botswana. In Namibia, it is found only in the Caprivi Strip in woodlands bordering the Zambezi, Chobe and Kwando rivers at a reporting rate of 2%, while young birds have been recorded from the Mahango region of Bwabwata National Park on the Okavango River. Its area of occupancy covers just 4,000 km2 and it is most likely to be seen in the summer months, suggesting it is not resident throughout the year. One breeding record for Namibia had an egg laid in May.