Caribbean slope from Costa Rica (Limón) east to north-eastern Panama (east to Puerto Obaldía, in San Blas); locally on Pacific slope of Panama in Veraguas (sight) and Panamá (Cerro Jefe and Cerro Azul), possibly also in extreme western Darién.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Sulphur-rumped Tanager (Heterospingus rubrifrons) [XC406900]
by Kent Livezey from Nusagandi, Panama (call, song)
Sulphur-rumped Tanager (Heterospingus rubrifrons) [XC406899]
by William Adsett from Nusagandi, Panama (call, song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Molecular data indicate genus is closest to Hemithraupis and Chrysothlypis. May form superspecies with Scarlet-browed Tanager (Heterospingus xanthopygius) and often considered conspecific, but differs in morphology and plumage.