In the Thai-Malay Peninsula, this species is strictly an inhabitant of plains-level forest, below 200 m (Wells 1999, Treesucon and Limparungpatthanakij 2018). On Sumatra, it occurs to 600 m (Eaton et al. 2021) while on Borneo it has been recorded to c.1,500 m and is widely considered a submontane specialist (Mann 2008). However, the species here too is most readily observed below 600 m (eBird 2022). Throughout its range, it favours undisturbed forest (Simamora et al. 2021).

Harpactes orrhophaeus is known from peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia and Brunei (BirdLife International 2001).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, although it occurs in a number of protected areas.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys throughout the range in order to determine rates of population decline and range contraction. Ensure that remaining tracts of lowland closed-canopy forest in Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia receive adequate protection.