The species inhabits fertile, well-vegetated wadis with good availability of water. It is increasingly found in open cultivated country with scattered trees, such as irrigated fields and grass meadows, but also plantations, parks, gardens and even golf courses (Jennings 2010). It mainly feeds on the rich invertebrate fauna found in these habitats, which it takes by pouncing from lookout posts (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, cases of kleptoparasitism have been recorded (Jennings 2010). Pairs are monogamous, territorial and stay together throughout the year. Territories are defended by display flights, which include almost vertical flights and high dives, which are performed by the male or the pair together (Jennings 2010). Breeding takes place between April and June. Clutches contain three to four eggs (Jennings 2010). The nest is a thin pad made of grass, twigs, rags and feathers. It is placed in a tree cavity at least 2 m above the ground, particularly on old Ghaf Prosopis cinerea trees and date palms (Jennings 2010). The species competes for nest holes with exotic species like Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri and mynas Acridotheres spp. (Jennings 2010).