[2] The Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) and the Clements taxonomy consider the choco brushfinch a subspecies of tricolored brushfinch (Atlapetes tricolor) but note that other authors have proposed it as a full species.

[3] The International Ornithological Congress (IOC) has accepted it as a full species.

It is found primarily from 600 to 2,300 m (2,000 to 7,500 ft) though there are scattered records from lower and higher elevations.

Observers have reported nest-building in Colombia in November, February, and May; eggs in April; and fledglings in June and July.

A reported nest was a thick cup placed near the ground; it contained one white egg with dusky spots.