This species is found in lowland forest, including swamp-forests, sago palm forests and drier forests, mostly in the extreme lowlands, but sometimes to 600 m (Coates 1985). It feeds on the ground on fallen fruit, berries, and seeds in small groups of 2-10 birds and roosts in trees. Captive birds start breeding from 15 months old, lay a single egg, and tend to the fledgling for some months after hatching (King and Nijboer 1994). A study in 2014 found this species to be present only in continuous forest, and not in forest fragments (Sam et al. 2014).

Goura victoria occurs on Biak-Supiori (where it may have been introduced), the Yapen islands, and northern New Guinea from Geelvink Bay, Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, to Astrolabe Bay, and an isolated area around Collingwood Bay in easternmost Papua New Guinea (Coates 1985; Beehler et al. 1986; King and Nijboer 1994). Its absence between Astrolabe Bay and Collingwood Bay is likely to be natural, given the lack of a coastal plain along this strip, though some think it may indicate a historic extirpation (King and Nijboer 1994; B. Beehler in litt. 2000, 2007). The main populations are in the Sepik Basin of Papua New Guinea and the Mamberamo Basin of Papua (B. Beehler in litt. 2007), it remains locally common in some remote undisturbed areas especially in lowland alluvial forest (K. D. Bishop in litt. 1994, B. Beehler in litt. 2012, I. Woxvold pers. comm. 2016).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It is protected by law in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey suitable habitat between Astrolabe Bay and Collingwood Bay. Determine populations in areas such as the Wapoga River. Investigate population trends through discussion with local hunters. Ascertain tolerance of logged forest. Assess hunting levels through discussion with local hunters. Monitor numbers traded. Establish more wildlife protection areas in lowlands. Enforce protection in uninhabited reserve areas. Increase collaboration with port authorities (sea, air and borders) to monitor CITES or endemic species, and authorise appropriate laws for any birds moved between borders (Shepherd et al. 2012; M. Supuma in litt. 2020). Any data collected on trade should be regularly updated to database for monitoring purposes (M. Supuma in litt. 2020). Develop captive breeding programmes. Launch public awareness programmes to reduce hunting. Utilise as a flagship species in ecotourism ventures.