North-western Venezuela (Sierra de Perijá, Mérida) and Andes of Colombia, eastern Ecuador and Peru (Cajamarca and San Martín south, locally, to Puno).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Variegated Bristle Tyrant (Pogonotriccus poecilotis) [XC251411]
by Jonas Nilsson from Napo: 'Caba\u00f1as San Isidro', 1-2 km SW Cosanga, Ecuador (call)
Variegated Bristle Tyrant (Pogonotriccus poecilotis) [XC276414]
by Jonas Nilsson from Carchi: Chilma, Ecuador (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Birds from extreme north-western Venezuela (Sierra de Perijá) described as subspecies pifanoi, supposedly with somewhat more blackish crown, but this difference virtually imperceptible and may represent individual variation.