[2] The International Ornithological Congress and the Handbook of the Birds of the World consider the moustached brushfinch to be monotypic - i.e. having no subspecies.

The plumage of the merida brushfinch of Venezuela is distinguished from that of the moustached brushfinch by its yellow throat, a lighter crown described as cinnamon-rufous, a broader white malar stripe with a narrow black submalar, and a much narrower area of black on the forehead.

It is a species of the upper tropical and subtropical zones, and thus typically occurs between 1400 and 2500m in altitude, although it has been seen as low as 1000m.

The species inhabits the borders, undergrowth and midstory of thick subtropical cloud, elfin, and oak-dominated forests, as well as tangles of dry, thorny, scrubby brush.

It is tolerant of disturbed habitat, and can be found in dense foliage on the borders of regenerating secondary forest.

Moustached brushfinches normally move around quickly inside dense tangles of brush, with occasional visits to more exposed positions.

They have been observed foraging, mainly close to the ground (<10m), as single birds, in pairs, and in what appear to be small family groups.

The only relevant observation that has been recorded is that of an immature bird seen near Soatá in January, suggesting that breeding takes place in the December/January period.