The former subspecies S. o. androstictus was elevated by the SACC to species status as the Loja tapaculo in July 2020 and by the IOC in January 2021.

[5] The Paramo tapaculo ranges the central Andes from southern Colombia to south-central Ecuador.

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

[5] The Paramo tapaculo forages on and near the ground for small arthropods and occasionally for berries.

The species is fairly common and it occurs in several protected areas in both Colombia and Ecuador.