It is largely dependent on intact forest, but on Obi it was also collected while feeding in a garden, and several others when roosting in a Sago palm. It has also been collected from disturbed forest. It occurs in small groups in lightly disturbed areas. A large colony was recorded from an isolated mangrove forest in Seram (Tsang et al. 2015).

The species is found in the Maluku Islands, Ambon, Buru, Seram, and small islands east of Seram in Indonesia. A Sangihe Island record is erroneous (Bergmans and Rozendaal 1988). It is found below 250 m asl. It is now likely absent from Ambon.

This species occurs in Manusela National Park. However, the only recorded roosting colony currently resides outside of the national park lands, and is afforded minor protection by a local resort owner due to its value for ecotourism. Taxonomic research is needed to resolve this species complex. Further surveys are needed to determine the current population status of this species, its roosting preferences, and its feeding ecology. It is listed on CITES Appendix II.