Southern India, in high-rainfall areas of Western Ghats from northern Kanara district (Karnataka) south to Trivandrum district (Kerala); and Sri Lanka, except in dry northern and south-eastern regions.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Sri Lanka Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) [XC453481]
by KASUN CHATHURANGA from Kegalle, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka (call)
Sri Lanka Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) [XC548013]
by Jelle Scharringa from Kalawana (near Kodippili Kanda), Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka (subsong)
Subspecies
Resembles Hodgson's Frogmouth (Batrachostomus hodgsoni) in coloration and pattern, and the two species replace each other geographically, but differences in the facial bristles, clutch size, egg size and adult plumage markings imply that they are probably too dissimilar to be regarded as forming a superspecies. Species name sometimes misspelt monileger.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
roonwali Dutta, 2009 - Southern India.
moniliger Blyth, 1849 - Humid forests of south-western India and Sri Lanka.