Western Venezuela (Andes in southern Táchira) and generally in Andes of Colombia and on both slopes in Ecuador south to extreme north-western Peru (northern Piura north of R Marañón).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Black-capped Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis atropileus) [XC511687]
by Hans Matheve from Reserva Tapichalaca, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador (call)
Black-capped Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis atropileus) [XC259750]
by Mitch Lysinger from Napo: upper Cordillera de los Huacamayos, Ecuador (song, songs)
Subspecies
Genus has been thought to belong with New World warblers (Parulidae), but recent molecular-genetic data support placement in present family. Monophyly of genus questioned, supported by some molecular data, but other molecular data equivocal. May form a superspecies with White-browed Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis auricularis) and Orange-browed Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis calophrys), and has been treated as conspecific with one or both of those. Currently treated as separate species to emphasize plumage differences, pending additional study.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
atropileus (Lafresnaye, 1842) - Venezuela to Ecuador.
auricularis (Cabanis, 1873) - Peru. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, White-browed Hemispingus (Kleinothraupis auricularis).