It inhabits primary forest, forest edge, secondary growth and occasionally isolated woodlots and single fruiting trees in cultivated areas, in lowlands, rarely up to 1,000 m. Although it is capable of using tiny forest patches and edge habitats, it is probably reliant on nearby larger tracts of closed-canopy forest for nest-sites. The diet includes fruits, mainly figs and possibly some insects (Poonswad et al. 2013). Food plants include trees of the genus Ficus, Artocarpus (Moraceae), Canarium (Burseraceae), Syzygium (Myrtaceae) and Dysoxylum (Meliaceae) (Poonswad et al. 2013). They are both sedentary and territorial, seen in pairs or small flocks of up to 20 individuals (Poonswad et al. 2013). Females have been found in breeding condition in May, and it is possible that dipterocarp trees are used for nesting (Poonswad et al. 2013).

Penelopides mindorensis is endemic to the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, where it was formerly widespread and abundant (Collar et al. 1999). Still considered fairly common in the 1970s, it has declined rapidly since. There are records from 17 localities (J. C. Gonzalez in litt. 2012), with a maximum count of 20 birds at Siburan in 1994. However, 183 observations were recorded from 5 sampling sites in Mt Siburan during fieldwork in 2005 (B. Tabaranza in litt. 2007). Recent photographic records come from Sablayan (D. Roberson 2005, I. Sarenas 2009) and from Calintaan (J.C. Gonzalez 2010). It is assumed that it only persists in very small numbers. It was reported to occur historically on Ylin Island, but an extensive search revealed no hornbills on adjacent Ylin and Ambulong islands (Gonzalez 2007). The rate of decline may now be reduced, as the rate of habitat destruction has slowed. 

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. The forest at Siburan is effectively part of the Sablayan penal colony, and it is included in the F. B. Harrison Game Reserve. Haribon Foundation has been working in the Municipality of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro with local partners since 2002 (B. Tabaranza in litt. 2007). Research has been conducted in the area for this species and site-conservation actions were implemented in Mt Siburan IBA (B. Tabaranza in litt. 2007). A Forest Management Plan was produced by the local stakeholders for the Sablayan forests including Mt. Siburan and is now being implemented. IBA monitoring is implemented within Mt Siburan IBA. The species also occurs in Mt Iglit-Baco National Park, where only tiny forest tracts remain. Funding has been provided for faunal inventories and environmental education initiatives at Puerto Galera. A conservation education programme has also been started at Malpalon.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Identify and survey remaining lowland forest tracts on Mindoro, including localities with local reports, to clarify its current distribution and population status. Establish formal, managed, protected areas to conserve remnant forest at Malpalon, Puerto Galera and Manamlay Lake. Devise and implement a management plan for the forest at Siburan that reconciles biodiversity with its role as a prison.  Establish captive-breeding programmes for future population supplementation/reintroduction.