This species is generally associated with moist savanna habitats (including bushveld) (Taylor 2000). Roosting sites include deserted weaver bird nests, among clusters of leaves, on the bark of trees, and on traditional houses (rondavels) (Roberts 1951; Smithers and Wilson 1979; Skinner and Chimimba 2005).

This species is distributed in East Africa and southern Africa, with some records in southern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and possibly northern Angola in Central Africa (records are uncertain from this country). In East Africa it has been recorded from Kenya and Tanzania in the north, through Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. In southern Africa, it appears to be widespread in Zimbabwe, with additional scattered records from northeastern South Africa and central Namibia.

There appear to be no direct conservation measures in place. It has been recorded from the Kambai Forest Reserve in Tanzania by Cunneyworth (1996), and seems likely to be present in a number of protected areas within its range. Further studies are needed to determine if the species is truly present in Angola.