The Rusty Flowerpiercer is distributed in the Andes from northern Venezuela south to north-west Argentina. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

The male is bluish-grey above and cinnamon below and resembles in colouration and some aspects of behaviour a Nuthatch, hence the specific name sittoides. Photos 1 and 2 are of a female - brownish olive above, yellowish-buff below with dusky streaks on the throat and chest.