The Masked Tityra is distributed from Mexico through Central America to the north-west of South America and into the Amazon Basin mainly south of the Amazon. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It is found in the canopy of forest, woodland and secondary growth.

The Masked Tityra is normally seen perched conspicuously high up in the trees. It feeds mainly on fruit.

Photos 1 and 2 show males with the black mask that gives the species its English name. Photos 3 and 4 are of females and they lack the black mask.