This species is a small-island specialist which primarily inhabits lowland forests, but is also recorded in secondary forest, coastal monsoon forest, degraded woodlands within cultivation and plantations (Dickinson et al. 1991, BirdLife International 2001, Gibbs et al. 2001, Riley 2003, Eaton et al. 2021), and very occasionally moves to the mainland of Borneo and Palawan to feed, usually in mangrove vegetation (Orenstein et al. 2010, Allen 2020, Puan et al. 2020). Little is known about the diet of this species but it is presumably frugivorous; figs (Ficus spp.) are likely an important food source (BirdLife International 2001, Baptista et al. 2020).

This species is a small-island specialist, occurring on offshore islands (and occasionally on the adjacent mainland) in southern Philippines, near Palawan and possibly the Sulu Archipelago but there have been few or no surveys to confirm presence on most of the islands [D. Allen in litt. 2025]); also occurs on the Talaud islands, and small islands off Kalimantan, Indonesia, and islands off Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia (BirdLife International 2001, eBird 2024).

Conservation Actions Underway
There are recent records from several protected areas: Baguan Island within the Turtle Islands Marine Natural Park (Philippines), Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (off Sabah), the Maratuas and Pulau Mantanani Bird Sanctuary (G. Davison in litt. 2007, eBird 2024). There are records from Similajau National Park (Orenstein et al. 2010) on mainland Borneo. Conservation awareness work has been undertaken in the Karakelang Hunting Reserve (Talaud islands) since the late 1990s (BirdLife International 2001).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Surveys, monitoring, and research projects are required to better understand the ecology and status of this species. Specifically, surveys should focus on establishing the true population size and number of subpopulations, tracking studies could illuminate the movement ecology of the species and help identify key feeding/breeding areas, and research into the potential importance of mangroves, or other mainland ecosystems/protected areas, along the coasts of Borneo and Palawan are necessary. Monitoring is required to determine trends in the population, specifically in response to habitat loss, and to better understand the species' tolerance to disturbance and usage of secondary/degraded habitats. Once the species' ecology and movements are better understood, propose sites/islands supporting key populations/habitat for establishment as strict protected areas, as appropriate. Identify specific threats on important islands (i.e. hunting and invasive species), and control where feasible/necessary. Devise and initiate conservation awareness campaigns to control hunting and curb deforestation on key islands. Review taxonomic status of the subspecies.