Common in the Santa Marta Mountains, between 1200-3000m, where it is more abundant at the higher elevations (above 2500m), usually in pairs. It feeds very actively, constantly moving on tangles, dense and open shrubbery, from low to mid heights.

A monotypic species, only from the Santa Marta Mountains and Serranía de Perijá (Venezuela & Colombia).

Image taken at Cuchilla de San Lorenzo in the Santa Marta Mountains.