There are two sub-species. A. r. hellmayri, found in Bahia and shown here in photos 1 and 2, has white only on the chin while the nominate sub-species, shown here in photos 3 and 4 has a more extensive white throat with grey streaks.

It is the nominate sub-species that is found in the same area as Rufous-tailed Attila A. phoenicurus where the latter's rufous throat and smaller size helps to distinguish it.