Once included in the Black-and-white Becard, it was separated after genetic, morphological, and vocal comparisons. Its main range spans western Colombia, western Ecuador, north-western Peru, and the Marañón drainage.
It is smaller than its close relative, with a slender bill, a narrower upper wingbar, and a pale-edged alula. Males have much grey on the upper tail; females have a light brown to dull chestnut crown.
It occurs in humid montane forest and dry deciduous forest. The committee proposal notes possible seasonal records along the eastern Andean slope.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.