Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela.
Eastern and south-eastern Venezuela (Bolívar, Amazonas), the Guianas, and north-eastern Brazil north of Amazon (eastern Roraima and lower R Negro to Amapá).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Golden-collared Woodpecker (Veniliornis cassini) [XC202240]
by Peter Boesman from Guyana Trail, Bol\u00edvar, Venezuela (drumming, song)
Golden-collared Woodpecker (Veniliornis cassini) [XC59324]
by Peter Boesman from Roura, Montagne Maripa, French Guiana (dawn song)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Choco Woodpecker (Veniliornis chocoensis), Red-rumped Woodpecker (Veniliornis kirkii), Red-stained Woodpecker (Veniliornis affinis) and Yellow-eared Woodpecker (Veniliornis maculifrons). Often considered conspecific with Red-rumped Woodpecker (Veniliornis kirkii), but differs in details of plumage, in habitat preferences, apparently also in voice, and is geographically isolated by Andes. Has also been regarded as possibly conspecific with third of those species, with which may overlap slightly in range. Further study is needed.