Hierococcyx fugax is found in far southern Burma, southern Thailand, Malaya, Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra and western Java.

The Malaysian hawk-cuckoo occurs in a variety of forest types from plains level up to 1700 metres on Sumatra.

Insects, mainly caterpillars, but also cicadas, beetles, small butterflies and locusts, in addition fruits and berries.

Active in bushes and understorey, gleaning prey from foliage.

[2] Hawk-cuckoos are brood parasites and recorded hosts include the white-rumped shama and the grey-headed canary flycatcher.