A detailed study of these several related taxa found significant vocal, genetic, and morphological differences among them.

Based on these data, the South American Classification Committee of the AOS elevated S. opacus androstictus to species status in July 2020.

[2][3][1] The International Ornithological Congress (IOC) followed suit in January 2021 and the Clements taxonomy in August 2021.

[6] The Loja tapaculo has a very limited range on the east slope of the Andes in Zamora-Chinchipe Province of Ecuador and the northern part of Peru's Department of Cajamarca.

It generally inhabits shrub and scrublands at and above treeline but can also be found in Polylepis woodland and high elevation humid forest.