Colombian Andes from head of Magdalena Valley (southern base of central Andes of south-western Huila) and eastern slope of eastern Andes from western Caquetá south to western Putumayo and south-eastern Nariño, and Ecuador on western slope (Imbabura) and eastern slope (at least Cordillera de Guacamayos, in Napo, also eastern Azuay and north-western Morona-Santiago, also southern Loja).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
White-rimmed Brushfinch (Atlapetes leucopis) [XC261291]
by Mitch Lysinger from Napo: upper Cordillera de los Huacamayos, Ecuador (duet)
White-rimmed Brushfinch (Atlapetes leucopis) [XC87021]
by Diego Calder\u00f3n (Colecci\u00f3n de Sonidos Ambientales - Instituto Humboldt) from Santa Barbara, Sucumbios, Ecuador (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Subspecies crassus of Tricolored Brush-finch (Atlapetes tricolor) occasionally placed in present species.