This species inhabits dense, humid, lower montane forest and adjacent lowland evergreen forest at 450-1,150 m (R. MacLeod in litt. 2000, Maillard 2006, Gastañaga et al. 2011). For much of the year it stays above 550 m, but descends to lower zones in the dry season (Renjifo and Renjifo 1997). At any one part of its range the species tends to be restricted to an altitudinal band of c. 500 m, but the upper and lower limits of this vary from location to location. Its diet consists of fruit, seeds, soft plants, larvae and insects. Fallen almendrillo nuts from the almond tree are apparently a major food source (del Hoyo et al. 2014). Display songs and pairing have been noted from August (R. MacLeod in litt. 2000), with a nest found during October (Cox et al. 1997). The clutch-size is probably two (R. MacLeod in litt. 2007), as in other Cracidae (although in the only nest ever found there was only one egg), and consequently it has a low reproductive rate (Cox et al. 1997, Renjifo and Renjifo 1997, Banks 1998).

For the mapped extant range of the species, rates of forest cover loss have been equivalent to 4.9-5.2% over three generations (minimum uses the 2010 tree cover area with 30% canopy cover, while the maximum uses the 2000 tree cover area with 75% canopy cover) (data from Global Forest Watch 2025). Using the average deforestation rate over the past five years suggests rates of forest cover loss over the next three generations will be between 6.5-6.7% (data from Global Forest Watch 2025). Consequently the habitat for the species is inferred to be declining in area and quality. With much of the recorded loss occurring at the range edge to the south east and along the northern edge, the extent of habitat is also inferred to be declining. 

This species is known to occur only in central Bolivia. It is known from the adjacent Amboró and Carrasco National Parks (Cox et al. 1997, Herzog and Kessler 1998, Mee 1999, R. MacLeod in litt. 2000., Maillard 2006) and the Isiboro-Secure Indigenous Territory and National Park and along the outer edge of the Cordillera Mosetenes, Cochabamba, Bolivia (R. MacLeod in litt. 2007). It was formerly found along the length of Carrasco's northern boundary (R. MacLeod in litt. 2000), but more recent surveys found it in very few locations here (R. MacLeod in litt. 2007). Extensive searches over several years have failed to locate the species in Madidi National Park, La Paz, Bolivia (R. MacLeod in litt. 2003, Hennessey 2004a, A. MacCormick in litt. 2004), in the rio Tambopata area near the Peru/Bolivia border (R. MacLeod in litt. 2004, Gastañaga and Hennessey 2005) and in the Cordillera Cocapata and along the inner edge of Cordillera Mosetenes in Cochabamba (R. MacLeod in litt. 2003, R. MacLeod in litt. 2007). The Isiboro-Secure Indigenous Territory and National Park is suspected to hold the largest remaining population (Programa Paujil Copete de Piedra, n.d.), but is being impacted by illegal road building, conversion of forest for coca production and increasing levels of hunting (T. Boorsma in litt. 2025).

Conservation and research actions underway
Listed on CITES Appendix II. Large parts of its range are theoretically protected by Amboró and Carrasco National Parks and the Isiboro-Secure Indigenous Territory and National Park, although these protected areas are seriously threatened since they have suffered from recent invasions (MacLeod et al. 2006), and continue to have no effective protection as park rangers lack the resources to control illegal activities (T. Boorsma in litt. 2025). Armonía is working to develop ecotourism infrastructure and an awareness campaign for the species in and around the Amboró National Park (Programa Paujil Copete de Piedra, n.d.), has undertaken surveys throughout the range and has published a conservation strategy for the species (Soria Auza et al. 2018).

Conservation and research actions proposed
Conduct field studies to locate and estimate the size of the surviving population and to determine its conservation requirements and vulnerability to human encroachment. Develop a systematic scheme to monitor the population (Garcia Soliz et al. 2007, Soria Auza et al. 2018) and the threats to the species (Soria Auza et al. 2018). Investigate movements of individuals using radio or satellite tracking, and investigate the species' diet (Soria Auza et al. 2018). Monitor pressures on the species within the national parks (Garcia Soliz et al. 2007), including hunters, timber extraction and camp establishment (Soria Auza et al. 2018). Work with the Carrasco and Amboró National Parks and local communities to develop and implement conservation management plans for the species and its habitat. Develop work with local educators and schools and carry out an awareness campaign to inform local people about the conservation importance and uniqueness of the species and its habitat to their area (Garcia Soliz et al. 2007, Soria Auza et al. 2018). Work with local communities to promote a community based hunting ban for the species and to reduce human pressure on its habitat. Identify and implement measures that will measurably improve the livelihoods of the local communities in return for their assistance in conserving the species. Improve enforcement of protected areas. Develop ecotourism activities in the region, with the species as an emblem, in order to provide an alternative source of income for local communities (Garcia Soliz et al. 2007, Soria Auza et al. 2018). Conduct health assessments of the species in the wild from different parts of the range ahead of developing a captive breeding programme with international institutions but including the creation of an in situ breeding centre within Amboró National Park (Programa Paujil Copete de Piedra, n.d., Soria Auza et al. 2018).