It is found in the Indian subcontinent and nearby parts of Southeast Asia.

[citation needed] This species described by Louis Mandelli based on specimens from Sikkim and placed in the genus Heterorhynchus[2] which was however preoccupied leading to it briefly being placed in the genus Stachyrirhynchus by Hume.

[3][4] Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that the species in the genus Sphenocichla were nested amid species of Stachyris leading to them being merged into the older described genus Stachyris.

[6] It inhabits the understorey of broadleaf evergreen forest and bamboo at 900–1,950 m, favouring westward facing slopes in Bhutan.

It occurs in small parties and feeds on insects, particularly woodlice and boring beetles.