Argentina (B), Brazil (B), Paraguay (B), Uruguay (B).
Paraguay (largely east of R Paraguay), north-eastern Argentina (eastern Formosa, eastern Chaco, north-eastern Santa Fe, Corrientes and eastern Entre Ríos), south-eastern Brazil (southern Minas Gerais, southern Sío Paulo, south-western Rio de Janeiro and southern Paraná south to Rio Grande do Sul) and northern and central Uruguay.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Lesser Grass Finch (Emberizoides ypiranganus) [XC507865]
by GABRIEL LEITE from Chapad\u00e3o do C\u00e9u, Chapad\u00e3o do C\u00e9u, Goi\u00e1s, Brazil (song)
Lesser Grass Finch (Emberizoides ypiranganus) [XC510915]
by id from Barra do Quara\u00ed, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Molecular data indicate that genus is sister to Embernagra, and both appear to belong in tanager family (Thraupidae). Sometimes treated as conspecific with Wedge-tailed Grass-finch (Emberizoides herbicola), with which it was formerly confused.