Southern Brazil, locally in southern Goiás, Distrito Federal and western Minas Gerais.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation through annual burning of adjacent grasslands, wetland drainage and the sequestration of water for irrigation schemes are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Song is series of slightly rising mechanical 'shet' notes, repeated for up to more than two minutes. Alarm call is warbled, higher-pitched and fast 'cheh-the-the'.
Brasilia Tapaculo (Scytalopus novacapitalis) [XC599235]
by Robson Silva e Silva from Fazenda \u00c1gua Limpa, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil (alarm call, song)
Brasilia Tapaculo (Scytalopus novacapitalis) [XC658506]
by Pauline Johnson from Patroc\u00ednio, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Field observations and tape recordings from central Minas Gerais, purportedly of this species, appear to be referable to a new, as yet undescribed species. Further study is needed.