[4] The species has a disjunct distribution, with the nominate race breeding from northern Argentina and Bolivia to the north-eastern tip of Brazil, and the two other subspecies ranging from Panama to Venezuela and eastern Ecuador.

The species inhabits drier open and semi-open habitats, and avoids forested and wooded areas.

[4] Due to deforestation, the species has recently colonized areas where it was previously absent, such as northeast Ecuador.

The cattle tyrant is a highly terrestrial tyrant-flycatcher, 20 cm (7.9 in) long and weighing 29–40 g (1.0–1.4 oz).

It takes ticks off mammals only occasionally, but it will sometimes hunt horseflies attempting to land on capybaras.