Colombia (locally in central and eastern Andes, also western slope in northern and south) south to Ecuador (south to Cotopaxi) on western slope and to Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba) on eastern slope.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant (Pseudotriccus ruficeps) [XC258763]
by Mitch Lysinger from Napo: upper Cordillera de los Huacamayos, Ecuador (call, wing snaps, calls)
Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant (Pseudotriccus ruficeps) [XC726061]
by Rolf A. de By from Refugio del Tororoy, above Guayabetal, Cundinamarca, Colombia (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Formerly placed in a monotypic genus, Caenotriccus.