This species occurs in in acacia savanna, in cultivated areas, date and ghaf groves and well-vegetated wadis, but also in suburban and rural areas like parks and large gardens (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is well adapted to humans and even comes at night to artificially lit places to forage. In mainly feeds on beetles, moths and insects, but might also take reptiles, birds, bats and other small mammals (Jennings 2010). The species is monogamous; the breeding season lasts from December to June or July (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, it mostly nests in tree holes; elsewhere it also nests in palm tree holes, in crevices in buildings, wells, ruins and cliffs, or even in artificial nest boxes (Jennings 2010). Clutches likely contain up to four eggs (Jennings 2010). The species is a partial migrant with few individuals wintering in the UAE or passing through the country from Asian breeding sites, though not much it known about its migratory movements (Jennings 2010).