Morphological and especially vocal differences set it apart from the widespread grey-breasted wood wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) that occurs at lower elevations on the same mountain slope.

The species' scientific name honors Álvaro José Negret, a Colombian ornithologist who died in 1998.

[2][3] The Munchique wood wren is found on the Pacific slope of Colombia's Western Andes.

[3] Based on the age of a collected juvenile, the Munchique wood wren lays its eggs in early June, but no other information about its breeding phenology has been published.

"[3] The IUCN has assessed the Munchique wood wren as Vulnerable; prior to 2018 it was considered Critically Endangered.

It is found in national parks, but enforcement is lax and forest clearing and settlement occur in them.