It favours humid lowland forests bordering swamps, but also inhabits drier, limestone-based forest and (at least in the Sierra del Rosario) mid-elevation montane forest (A. Mitchell in litt. 1998, A. Kirkconnell in litt. 1999, Garrido and Kirkconnell 2000, Garrido et al. 2002). It feeds on seeds and small invertebrates, foraging on the ground and frequently along tracks, but may perch 10 m above the ground (Baptista et al. 1997).

Geotrygon caniceps has a limited distribution and is rare throughout Cuba, being most common on the Zapata Peninsula.

Conservation and research actions underway
It occurs within a numbers of reserves in Cuba (including the Corral de Santo Tomás Faunal Refuge in the Zapata Swamp National Park area, Mil Cumbres (Area Protegida de Recursos Manejados) and the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve), but few are afforded strict protection (A. Mitchell in litt. 1998, Stattersfield et al. 1998).

Conservation and research actions proposed
Survey to clarify the species's current status and determine the protected areas within which it occurs. Control dry season burning and draining. Enforce laws concerning hunting of the species. Devise and implement management plans for protected areas. Enforce protection of protected areas.