This antpitta occurs in Colombia's eastern Andes. The 2023 eBird taxonomy update treats it as separate from Tawny Antpitta (Grallaria quitensis). Todd's 1919 description of the adult male type records a dark back and ochre underparts with white mottling. A December 2025 field report records it foraging at Sumapaz National Park.
The adult male type specimen is described with deep sepia-brown upperparts, a pale buffy-white throat, and buff-ochre underparts mottled by whitish feather tips; the underwing coverts are bright ochraceous tawny.
Naturalist Journeys' December 2025 report records one calling in a patch of forest beside páramo. On the same trip's morning outing at Sumapaz National Park, at least five were recorded; at least two were seen foraging in plain view.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.