Widespread across large parts of the world in tropical wetlands, this species is estimated to number over 300,000 birds in sub-Saharan Africa. In southern Africa it is sparsely distributed through highveld pans in Zimbabwe and South Africa. It can be very abundant, with thousands of birds moving into the Chobe and Okavango swamps and rivers in wet seasons. It is usually rare in Namibia, with birds only found in wet years in the Tsumkwe Pans (maximum of 90 birds at Nyae Nyae Pan), the Mahango area of Bwabwata National Park (maximum of 120 birds), the Chobe River (maximum of 377 birds at Salambala Conservancy) and the Cuvelai drainage system. Over 2,000 birds were recorded at Lake Liambezi in 1983.