This small antwren occurs in forests of eastern and southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. It searches forest vegetation for insects and other small invertebrates.
The male has a black crown, while the female's crown is rufous-brown. The folded wings show two white bars and a bright rufous panel formed by the edges of the flight feathers.
It inhabits lowland and foothill forest and eats insects and other small invertebrates. It is often found feeding in mixed-species flocks.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.