This species is fond of fast-flowing rivers and is very common in South Africa where 10,000 to 25,000 birds are estimated (Wetlands International 2002). In Namibia, it is virtually confined to the Orange River, where an average of four birds are counted each time at the Orange River Mouth; a maximum count of 234 birds was recorded at the Orange River mouth in February 2005 during a count that yielded an exceptional number of birds and species.