The Rufous-tailed Attila breeds in the south-east of Brazil but migrates northwards and westwards during the austral winter and can be found as far away as southern Venezuela.

It is found in forest and mature secondary woodland and is normally seen in the canopy or mid-storey levels.

It has a grey head contrasting with rufous upperparts and ochraceous-yellow underparts. The primaries are blackish.

There are recordings and a distribution map on xeno-canto .