Though subspecies have been proposed within its Brazilian population, the differences have been shown to be simply individual variation.

[4] The rufous-capped motmot is found across southeastern Brazil, in eastern Paraguay, and in far northeastern Argentina.

It includes insects and their larvae; spiders; snails; small reptiles, mammals, and birds; and to a lesser degree fruits.

The species has been observed following army ants to capture what they disturb and also sometimes forages in mixed-species flocks.

The species lays two or three eggs, probably in September and October based on when nestlings and young have been observed.