A very vocal but furtive antbird endemic to Colombia between 1100-1900m. Difficult to see since it never comes into the open and stays hidden in very dense vegetation. Wonders in pairs but does not join mixed flocks of birds.

Can be seen in several localities including the Chestnut-capped Piha Reserve (ProAves) nearby Anorí (Central Andes), Cerro Montezuma (Western Andes) and forests near Manizales.