Argentina (B), Bolivia (B), Brazil (B), Paraguay (B), Uruguay (B).
Locally in eastern Bolivia (Beni, La Paz, Santa Cruz), central and southern Brazil (Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, central Goiás, and southern Bahia south to Sío Paulo and western Paraná), eastern Paraguay and northern Argentina (south to Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Corrientes).
 
Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 19,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation through conversion to agriculture, extensive cattle ranching, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant (Culicivora caudacuta) [XC221948]
by JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA from Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais, Brazil (duet)
Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant (Culicivora caudacuta) [XC684665]
by Robson Silva e Silva from Exaltacion (near Agua Dulce), Yacuma, Departamento del Beni, Bolivia (call, song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Affinities uncertain, and genus often treated as incertae sedis, because of unusual plumage and tail feathers, presence of only ten rectrices, and non-exaspidean tarsi. Probably related to Polystictus on basis of similarities in plumage, bill morphology, behaviour and habitat.