It is an apparently sedentary inhabitant of primary forest and occasionally secondary and disturbed habitats across a wide altitudinal range (100-2,400 m), although generally above 1,000 m (Collar et al. 1999, Allen 2020). One anomalous report, of a bird collected in "low thick jungle covered daily by the sea", appears to relate to mangroves, although this has not been repeated. It is unobtrusive and tends to call prior to dawn; easily overlooked (Allen 2020).

The species is endemic to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines (Collar et al. 1999). In 2001 judged to have a relatively small range (BirdLife International 2001) with post-1980 records then from only seven localities. However, more recent data have shown it to be more widespread (eBird 2023) and it evidently occurs across Mindanao where suitable habitat remains. 

Conservation and Research Actions Underway
Occurs in numerous protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023).

Conservation and Research Actions Proposed
Undertake monitoring of this and other forest birds on Mindanao to establish more accurately their trend. Work to protect more parts of its range, especially in lowland forest.