It inhabits forest, scrub and farmland up to 930 m (Trainor et al. 2009), but may only occur at lower levels on Bacan and Alor (Baptista et al. 2020). The majority of records are from the lowlands (GBIF.org 2021).

Ducula rosacea is restricted to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, where it occurs in four Endemic Bird Areas (Northern Nusa Tenggara, Timor and Wetar, Banda Sea Islands, and Northern Maluku) and five Secondary Areas (Seribu Islands, Masalembu, Kangean, Salayar and Bonerate Islands, and Tukangbesi Islands). Despite this wide range, the species appears to have become very rare at least in some areas, and rather uncommon elsewhere. It is thought to be the commonest pigeon on Wetar, with the population on this island estimated to be "very large" (Trainor et al. 2009).

The status of the species in northern Maluku is unclear: there is only a single specimen from Halmahera (from 1862) and one from Bacan (1954).

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to assess its population size. Regularly monitor at certain sites throughout its range to determine population trends. Where possible, control hunting, perhaps using awareness campaigns. Protect significant areas of lowland forest on many islands across its range.