Present locally in humid subtropical forests between 700-2500m in all three Andean ranges. Distributed from Colombia to nw Venezuela (Perijá Mountains), Guyana, Ecuador & Peru.

Single birds or pairs join mix flocks in the canopy & midlevels, moving very fast as they glean for insects from foliage like a warbler or greenlet.

Can be seen at Las Tangaras reserve, Cerro Montezuma and more rarely at Otún-Quimbaya wildlife sanctuary.