The species occurs in lowland, evergreen primary rainforest and mature secondary forest, mainly at elevations around 750 m, but occasionally up to 1,800 m. It prefers dense foothill forests along rivers and streams, but is also resident in selectively logged forests and along edges of clearings (Kemp et al. 2018). It can also be found in hilly dipterocarp forests (Wells 1999, Smythies 1999), and can persist in peat swamp forests and freshwater swamp forests (Biun and Matsain Mohd Buang 2014, Nather Khan et al. 1991, MNS 1998). The species however avoids heavily disturbed areas (Kemp et al. 2020). Its main food sources are fruits, but also insects, lizards and frogs (Kemp et al. 2018). It lives in groups of up to 20 individuals (Poonswad et al. 2013). The species breeds cooperatively (as observed in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah; Wells 1999, Madge 1969, Styring et al. 2002, Smythies 1999), with the whole group helping at the nest, and throughout the year, mainly during periods with high food abundance (Kemp et al. 2018). An estimated 1-4 chicks can be produced per pair (Wells 1999, MNS Hornbill Conservation Project [unpublished data], Yeap et al. 2016).

The species occurs in the Sunda region. It ranges from the extreme south of Myanmar and southern Thailand (where it is locally vulnerable; V Chimchome and P. Poonswad in litt 2020), through Peninsular Malaysia to Borneo, Sumatra and Natuna Island (Indonesia) and Brunei Darussalam. In Peninsular Malaysia, the species is found in Sabah and Sarawak (mostly in the forest interior of the Heart of Borneo and conservation areas of forest plantations; David et al. 2017; Davies and Payne 1982; Smythies 1999; Tuen 2005; Kemp and Kemp 1974; Sheldon et al. 2001; Unggang et al. 2017; Styring et al. 2011), but absent from smaller states such as Melaka, Penang, and Federal Territories (Y. C. Aik in litt 2020). Its stronghold remains in large forest complexes (either single or several joined) and protected areas (Davison 1987, Davison 1995, Lim and Tan 2000, Wells 1999, Chong 1998, Chong 1993, Siti Hawa Yatim 1993, Siti Hawa Yatim et al. 1985, Ong et al. 2000, Choo and Teresa 2001, Norsham and Teresa 2001, Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim 2002, Wells 1999, Yeap and Perumal, in press, Wells 1990, Yong et al. 2011). They are not found on forested large and medium-sized islands on the west and east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It still persists in smaller protected areas (<10,000 ha) of  Western Sarawak such as Tanjung Datu National Park (Sim and Liam 2001, Nurul Ashikeen Ab Razak et al. 2015) and Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary (McKenzie and Tuyah 2017). Most sites in the region are identified as Important Hornbill Landscapes (IHL) and  Important Bird Areas (IBA), as well as being linked to the Central Forest Spine Masterplan for Peninsular Malaysia (Yeap and Peruma, in press).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Occurs in several protected areas in Sumatra (Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Way Kambas National Park, Gunung Leuser National Park and Kerinci-Seblat National Park) and Thailand (Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary and Budo Sungai Padi National Park). Across Thailand, some national parks however suffer from extensive human disturbance such as illegal logging, forest encroachment, collection and poaching, and civil unrest (Kemp et al. 2020). Nevertheless, the undertaking of long-term conservation persists in local communities, with locals encouraged to collect data and preserve the species (Poonswad et al. 2012). In Budo, artificial nests were used successfully by the birds near the edges of protected areas (V. Chimchome and P. Poonswad in litt 2020).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys across the species's range to determine the magnitude of declines and rates of range contraction. Campaign for the protection of remaining tracts of forest throughout the species's range.