It is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.

[2][3] The rufous piha breeds between March and August in Costa Rica, there probably being two clutches in the year.

[4] It lives in the middle and lower storeys of humid forest and seldom descends to ground level.

[5] It often sits lethargically on a suitable perch for long periods, sallying out at intervals to snap up passing insect prey.

[3] The rufous piha has a very wide distribution and its total population is estimated to be within the range 50,000 to 500,000 individuals.