This species is apparently restricted to lowland forest (< c.1,000 m), although little is known of its breeding habits or life history. It feeds high above forest, either alone or in small groups, occasionally straying to feeding above degraded landscapes (Allen 2020), but always in some proximity to forests which it presumably needs to breed.

Mearnsia picina is endemic to the Philippines where it has been recorded from Mindanao, the East Visayas, Central Visayas, West Visayas, and Tawi Tawi (Collar et al. 1999, Allen 2020, eBird 2024).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, but it occurs in numerous protected areas.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of this species' breeding ecology and habitat requirements. Conduct surveys across its range to estimate population size and locate important breeding sites. Once identified, monitor populations at breeding sites in order to determine population trends. Protect areas of suitable habitat.