It is a resident breeding species from southwesternmost Mexico to northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela.

This large wren breeds in lowlands and foothills from sea level up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) altitude in dry forests or, in wetter areas, more open scrubby woodland.

The female alone incubates the three or four greenish-blue eggs for about two weeks to hatching, and the young fledge in about the same length of time again.

The subspecies T. r. minlosi of the Andean foothills of Venezuela has a greyish tinge to the crown and underparts.

The rufous-and-white wren forages actively in low vegetation or on the ground in pairs; it is a shy species more often heard than seen.