[3] In 2016 BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) recognized it as a separate species, the southern tawny antpitta.

[4] The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) recognized it in July 2023 with the name Atuen antpitta.

[5] The Clements taxonomy recognized the new species with that name in October 2023 and HBW adopted the IOC name in December 2023.

Their ear coverts are deep cinnamon-rufous with black tips that make them look sooty.

Their breast and belly feathers have small white tips that give a scaled appearance.

[9][10] The Atuen antpitta is found on the spine of Peru's Andes in southern Amazonas, eastern La Libertad, and San Martín departments.

[9] The Atuen antpitta's diet is not well documented but it is assumed to feed on a variety of insects and other invertebrates.

Its nest, eggs, and breeding behavior are assumed to be similar to those of its former parent tawny antpitta, which see here.