Prior to recent fieldwork conducted by BirdLife International, along with colleagues from Bi Doup – Nui Ba National Park and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, the only recorded nesting sites were in the forests of the Lan Vien Protection Area, including the Ta Nung Valley and Chu Yang Sin National Park, in Dac Lac province. 

During the field survey, two pairs were spotted in Da Nhim Forest in Lac Duong district, an area currently being felled and cleared for a hydro-electric project. The survey team observed a pair of crocias at the edge of the forest 507m from the construction site. 

Three pairs were also seen in D’Ran Forest in Don Duong district in an evergreen and coniferous forest. Another seven pairs were found along a 207km tract of Don Duong forest, which is also being logged on a 35-year rotation. 

Elsewhere in Da Nhim Forest, and within the habitat and altitude range of crocias, the team observed recent forest clearances for coffee plantations and the planting of Japanese horseradish (wasabe) in the primary evergreen forest.