It is a bird of lowland primary forest but also occurs in logged and secondary forest, riverine forest and oil-palm plantations (Fry et al. 1988; Holbech 1992, 1996). It has also been recorded in predominantly agricultural landscapes, for example in areas near Gola Forest, Sierra Leone (J. Lindsell in litt. 2012). The species undergoes local movements in response to fruit availability. Occurs up to 1,000 m (Kemp and Boesman 2020).

This species is widespread in West Africa, occurring in South-west Senegal, across to Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo (now possibly extinct here), Nigeria, and Cameroon (Morel and Morel 1990, Cheke and Walsh 1996, Fry et al. 1988, Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2009b). Its presence in Benin is disputed (Dowsett and Dowsett-Lemaire 2011).

In Ghana, the species is rare or has vanished from many large forest reserves (Holbech et al. 2018). The species is likely extirpated from Bia National Park due to hunting but persists at Cape Three Points, occurs in small numbers in Kakum, and remains relatively common in Ankasa and Bomfobiri (Dowsett-Lemaire and Lemaire 2014). Local interviews conducted in areas including Sui River, Boin River Block, Esen Epam, Fure Headwaters, and Subri River Forest Reserves suggest the presence of small populations, likely exhibiting a high degree of wandering (Dowsett-Lemaire and Lemaire 2014). It has not been recorded at Atewa Range FR since 2005 at least, with perhaps the last confirmed record in May 2002 (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2011a). It has likely been extirpated from Togo (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2019). Substantial forest cover loss (Global Forest Watch 2025) and the absence of recent eBird (2025) records further indicate that the species may now be extirpated from large parts of its historical range.

Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in many protected areas across its range (Protected Planet 2025), but is effectively protected and secure in only a fraction of these, having already disappeared from numerous reserves owing to hunting and habitat loss (H. Rainey in litt. 2011, 2012, F. Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2014). The species is abundant and well protected in Gola Forest (Sierra Leone and Liberia) (J. Lindsell in litt. 2012, F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. 2012).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Establish coordinated, long-term monitoring across the species’ range to assess population size, structure, and trends. Assess the impact of habitat fragmentation on movement ecology and reproductive success. Research is needed to quantify the scale, drivers, and mechanisms of harvest and trade—including domestic, international, and online markets—with a focus on understanding socio-economic motivations, assessing impacts on population viability, and identifying key trade routes and end uses to support enforcement and policy interventions.

Expand forest protection by identifying and safeguarding key habitats through both formal protected areas and community-led initiatives. Improve enforcement and on-the-ground management of existing protected areas to reduce illegal logging and hunting. Engage local communities through awareness campaigns and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods that reduce reliance on bushmeat and forest conversion. Promote sustainable land-use planning near remaining forest blocks to reduce further fragmentation and maintain habitat connectivity. Collaborate with law enforcement and customs authorities to detect and prevent illegal international trade, including training in species identification and wildlife trafficking protocols. Raise awareness among consumers and traders about the species’ threatened status and the legal consequences of trafficking. This species has been proposed for listing under CITES.