The Stripe-tailed Yellow-finch is found patchily from Colombia to northern Argentina. Throughout this range it is found locally in grassland and farmland.

The male is olive-brown above with a lemon-yellow forecrown. It is mostly yellow below. The "stripe-tailed" moniker derives from two white spots on the underside of the tail which can be difficult to see but is well illustrated in photos 1 and 3. The female is much duller and streakier.