Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela.
Very local in south-eastern Venezuela (Bolívar, Amazonas), the Guianas, south-eastern Colombia (Meta east to Guainía and Vaupés) and northern Brazil (northern Roraima, northern Amapá, both sides of middle and lower Amazon, and along R Cururu in southern Pará).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Rufous-crowned Elaenia (Elaenia ruficeps) [XC44126]
by Andrew Spencer from Reserve Naturelle de la Trinite, French Guiana (call)
Rufous-crowned Elaenia (Elaenia ruficeps) [XC81777]
by Peter Boesman from Mitu, Vaupes, Colombia (call)
Subspecies
Has been hypothesized as being closest to Plain-crested Elaenia (Elaenia cristata) on basis of nostril structure and wing formula, but the two differ greatly in plumage and behaviour.