Central and eastern Bolivia (Beni, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz), extreme northern Paraguay (Alto Paraguay) and south-central Brazil (southern Mato Grosso, western Mato Grosso do Sul).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Mato Grosso Antbird (Cercomacra melanaria) [XC414060]
by George Wagner from Pouso Alegre, Pocon\u00e9, Mato Grosso, Brazil (song)
Mato Grosso Antbird (Cercomacra melanaria) [XC854906]
by Ricardo Jos\u00e9 Mitidieri from Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (duet, song)
Subspecies
Appears to form a species group with Rio Branco Antbird (Cercomacra carbonaria), Jet Antbird (Cercomacra nigricans) and Bananal Antbird (Cercomacra ferdinandi) on basis of plumage, vocalizations and ecology, with Manu Antbird (Cercomacra manu) probably sister to the group.