Recently merged with Lemon-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus icteronotus) from Western Panama, Colombia & Ecuador.

Lemon-rumped Tanagers (now Ramphocelus flammigerus icteronotus) are found bellow 1200m whereas Flame-rumped Tanagers are almost always at higher elevations (1200 – 2200m). The subspecies hybridize on the 800-1200m belt, where deforestation has allowed them to contact each other.