The range includes Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi (Payne et al. 1985).

These sites are new distributional records for C. melanocephalus in Sarawak and have extended the range of the species to the western part of Borneo.

The bat normally roosts in small groups in tree ferns and in shallow caves (Payne et al. 1985).

In November 1996, two females caught in Lambir Hills National Park were in post-lactating condition, suggesting recent detachment or loss of juveniles.

Medway (1978) recorded pregnant females in February and April in the upland area of Cameron highlands in Peninsular Malaysia.