It inhabits tropical lowland and lower montane, evergreen rainforest, from 250 m to 2,500 m (Yong et al. 2012, Eaton et al. 2021), although most records are from above 1,000 m. It is presumed to be sedentary in primary forest, including clearings and tracks through them. It has been found incubating in March to October (Boon and Faustino 2005, Yong et al. 2012, eBird 2023).

It appears to be confined to northern Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it is known from mountain ranges on the Minahasa Peninsula and in the island's centre. Sightings from elsewhere remain unconfirmed: for example those on Buton (see Sykes 2009) and southern Sulawesi (BirdLife International 2001). Berryman and Eaton (2020) did not detect it in the Mekongga range, where they extended the distribution of other nocturnal species, including Ninox ios, suggesting that its distribution may be genuinely confined to Minahasa and central Sulawesi, although more surveys here, and in East Sulawesi, are needed.

Conservation Actions Underway
Recorded from several protected areas including Lore Lindu National Park (Yong et al. 2012) and Gunung Masarang Protection Forest (Warwer et al. 2019). Even unprotected areas of this species' range are secure however due to the remoteness of the terrain.
 
Conservation Actions Proposed
Confirm the true limits of this species' distribution, especially surveys to determine whether it occurs in East or South-East Sulawesi provinces. Determine whether there are any other threats to this species beyond habitat loss and degradation. Continue to monitor habitat trends using remote sensing data. Propose further forested areas supporting populations of this, and other species endemic to Sulawesi, for protection.