The ivory hornbill can be found in Sumatra and Kalimantan (Indonesia), Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, some small populations in Thailand and Myanmar.
Usually use a large natural hollow tree with a distinctive hump in front of it for nesting. The hump is used as an anvil when perched, to feed the female and young in the nest. This unique nest pattern is not found in other hornbill species.
Like all types of hornbills, the ivory hornbill only has one partner throughout its life (monogamy). After finding the right nesting hole, the female will enter and shut herself up. Together with the male hornbill, the nest hole will be covered with a mixture of clay mixed with feces. A narrow gap is left in the hatch to collect food from the male, as well as to maintain temperature and cleanliness in the nest.