Colombia (locally in central and eastern Andes, also western slope in northern and south) south to Ecuador (south to Cotopaxi) on western slope and to Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba) on eastern slope.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant (Pseudotriccus ruficeps) [XC260893]
by Olaf Jahn from Napo: upper Cordillera de los Huacamayos, Ecuador (call, wing snaps, trilled call)
Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant (Pseudotriccus ruficeps) [XC258760]
by John V. Moore from Napo: upper Cordillera de los Huacamayos, Ecuador (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Formerly placed in a monotypic genus, Caenotriccus.