It was previously considered conspecific with the black-billed thrush, but genetic data indicates that the two are not closely related.

[2][3] The species occurs in the foothills of southern Guyana, Venezuela, and northern Brazil.

It has been observed to prefer habitats at the borders of tropical moist forests.

[1] Its type locality is Merumé, Mount Roraima, Guyana at 1,100–1,500 metres (3,500–5,000 ft).

[7][8] Formal recognition of a separation of the species was made by the American Ornithological Society in 2019.