A near-endemic and gorgeous bird of Mountain Chocó (Western Andes) and the northern end of the Central Andes. Present locally between 1500 – 2300m in “mossy” (super-humid) montane forest, at low or mid-heigths, can be seen foraging on small berries and insects, alone, in pairs or with mixed flocks.

Present at Cerro Montezuma (Tatamá), above Jardín and at the Chestnut-capped Piha Reserve in Anorí.