The Black-throated Saltator is distributed in eastern and south-eastern Brazil extending into the extreme north-east of Argentina and the south-east of Paraguay. See the distribution map at xeno-canto. It is found in the canopy of the Atlantic Rain Forest up to about 1,200 metres and can be hard to see.

It has a large coral red bill which is larger than in most Saltators. Both sexes are slaty-grey overall although the male has a blackish throat and chest.