It is endemic to the Philippines found on the islands of Luzon, Camiguin Norte, Polilio, Catanduanes, Samar, Dinagat and Mindanao.

Nests made out moss, dry leaves have been found in April and May on Mindanao and June on Luzon.

[6] This species is poorly known, but is reported to occupy the understorey of forest below 1,000 m. It is said to be more common on smaller islands such as Camiguin but no surveys for done for it in recent years.

Like the Celestial monarch majority of the sight records are in Mindanao in Bislig, Surigao del Sur which has faced rapid destruction in the past few years after the company that once owned a concession was closed down in 2005 and was overrun with illegal logging and converted into exotic monoculture plantations which cannot support these birds.

Widespread and continuing reduction of its lowland habitat leaves its population severely fragmented.