[1][3][4] Many specimens are black in color, and the specific name piceus[2] is Latin meaning "pitch-black".

Coloration is variable, usually uniformly black, reddish-brown, or dark brown with a pale blue peri-ocular ring.

[2] Pristimantis piceus occur in the cloud forest, sub-páramo, and páramo habitats[1][4] at elevations of 2,400–3,400 m (7,900–11,200 ft) above sea level.

[4] They are at active night when they can be found on vegetation, especially in open areas on top of weeds.

[1] It is a relatively widespread and common species that can locally suffer from habitat loss caused by deforestation, agriculture development, and illegal crops.