The Slaty Brush-finch is distributed in the Andes from western Venezuela through Colombia to eastern Ecuador. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

It has a chestnut crown, a white moustachial stripe bordered black and a whitish spot on the lores. Some sub-species such as the nominate form shown here have a white wing speculum.

The song usually contains phrases of chewy-chewy or t'chew t'chew.