On Rarotonga, it is most common in hillside and upland forest, often visiting the horticultural lowland areas. On Atiu, it is found in a wide variety of wooded habitats, including the fringes of plantations as well as forest growing on the makatea (raised coral limestone), but it avoids the villages (Pratt et al. 1987, Baptista et al. 1997). It is found at all altitudes. It is an arboreal forager (Lapiedra et al. 2013), primarily frugivorous, but has also been reported to peck small insects from foliage (Baptista et al. 1997). There is no evidence of inter-island movements (Baptista et al. 1997).

Ptilinopus rarotongensis survives only on Rarotonga and Atiu, Cook Islands, but was once more widespread given early historic records from Aitutaki and Mauke, and fossils from Mangaia (Steadman 1989).

Conservation Actions Underway
No conservation actions are known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey and monitor the species on both islands to establish numbers and trends. Research its ecology, including foraging and dietary studies (Steadman and Freifeld 1999). Take measures to ensure that alien species are not accidentally introduced, especially R. rattus on Atiu. Consider translocation to Mangaia (Steadman and Freifeld 1999).