Western Venezuela (Andes in southern Táchira) and generally in Andes of Colombia and on both slopes in Ecuador south to extreme north-western Peru (northern Piura north of R Marañón).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Black-capped Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis atropileus) [XC512196]
by Jerome Fischer from Tapichalaca NR, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador (song)
Black-capped Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis atropileus) [XC15053]
by Frank Lambert from Guango Lodge, Napo province, Ecuador (song)
Subspecies
Genus has been thought to belong with New World warblers (Parulidae), but recent molecular-genetic data support placement in present family. Monophyly of genus questioned, supported by some molecular data, but other molecular data equivocal. May form a superspecies with White-browed Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis auricularis) and Orange-browed Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis calophrys), and has been treated as conspecific with one or both of those. Currently treated as separate species to emphasize plumage differences, pending additional study.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
atropileus (Lafresnaye, 1842) - Venezuela to Ecuador.
auricularis (Cabanis, 1873) - Peru. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, White-browed Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis auricularis).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet