It is mainly found in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental mountains of central Mexico, though its range just barely extends into adjacent southwestern Texas in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park.

They are mainly dark gray and brownish in coloration, with a pale underside.

They have a white ring around their eye and a tinge of pale color on their breasts.

Forming a loose cup-shaped nest of grass, leaves, and moss the Colima warbler hides its nest among the mountain rocks.

It usually lays four eggs, which are white to cream-colored and speckled with brown.