This species occurs in lowland primary evergreen forest, usually below 200 m, but rarely up to 600 m, where it prefers areas near watercourses or flood plains, as well as gallery and swamp forest (Poonswad et al. 2013). It is also found in selectively logged and tall secondary forest. It feeds mainly on large fruits, but occasionally takes small animals including insects, bats and bird eggs (Kemp et al. 2018). Its breeding behaviour is not well known; breeding is apparently not limited to a season and occurs throughout the year, but not always annually (Kemp et al. 2018). Nests are placed in natural tree cavities or possibly in woodpecker holes (Kemp et al. 2018).

Anthracoceros malayanus is confined to the Sundaic lowlands of peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan and Sumatra (including the Lingga, Bangka, Belitung islands), Indonesia and Brunei (BirdLife International 2001). It is generally scarce or locally common in suitable habitat. Habitat loss has already driven it to the verge of extinction in Thailand.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor populations across the range to determine the magnitude of declines and rates of range contraction. Ensure the protection of remaining tracts of lowland evergreen forest throughout the Sundaic region. Restrict hunting.