It is endemic to southern Ethiopia where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.

The species was first collected by Eugenio Ruspoli in either 1892 or 1893, but due to his subsequent death, the location and date of this find remain unknown.

[2] Prince Ruspoli's Turaco, also known as Tauraco ruspolii, is primarily found in juniper (Juniperus) woodland accompanied by dense evergreen undergrowth near Arero and Wadera.

However, it is believed that this elusive bird species has a preference for drier forest edges, acacia-conifer woodland, and mixed broadleaf scrub.

It typically inhabits elevations ranging from 1250 to 1860 meters above sea level.