The Coppery-chested Jacamar is distributed along the eastern slope of the Andes in Ecuador and just into the extreme south of Colombia and the extreme north of Peru. See the distribution map at xeno-canto. It is found in the lower growth of forest edges such as tree-falls, trails and along streams mainly between 750 and 1,500 metres.

A distinguishing feature is its orange-yellow eyering. Only the female has a coppery throat. It is also found at a higher elevation than other Galbula Jacamars.