This antshrike is recorded from Colombia north toward northwestern Venezuela. It uses forest understorey and mid-storey, as well as scrub beside shallow streams, and forages close to the ground.
Adult males are black to brown-black, with a white shoulder patch, pale wing edging and white areas on the flanks and underside. Females have a brown to cinnamon crown and chestnut underparts and tail.
It forages in forest understorey and mid-storey, disturbed woodland and scrub along shallow streams. Birds were described singly or in pairs, gleaning or jumping for prey about 60 cm above ground.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.