Very locally in Andes of southern Peru (Apurímac, Cuzco, Puno) and western Bolivia (La Paz).
 
Population
Estimated population is 50 - 249 (2010) and decreasing.
Status CR
Habitat destruction and degradation through uncontrolled use of fire and heavy grazing, cutting for timber, firewood and charcoal, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Rough, high-pitched trills. Other raspy calls and nasal 'kiu' or 'kee' reported.
Royal Cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae) [XC73371]
by Joseph Tobias and Nathalie Seddon from ?, Bolivia (song)
Royal Cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae) [XC73370]
by Wendy Carolay Navarro Romo from Keara, La Paz, BO, Bolivia (song)
Subspecies
Cinclodes excelsior (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Stout-billed Cinclodes (Cinclodes excelsior) and Royal Cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae) following SACC (2005).
Has been placed in Geositta, but plumage and behaviour like those of present genus. Formerly treated as subspecies of Stout-billed Cinclodes (Cinclodes excelsior). Justification for species rank rather weak, primarily plumage and micro-habitat differences.