This small, unobtrusive species is found scattered throughout the wetter areas of East and central Africa. In Namibia, it occurs along the margins of the northern rivers (Zambezi, Kwando and Okavango), where it forages on the edge of reed beds and shallow water. Its area of occupancy from SABAP1 records was 10,000 km2. The bird is also recorded from the Tsumkwe Pans and northern Etosha. A recent record from SABAP2 is from further north in the north-central regions on the border with Angola.