The Violet-capped Woodnymph is distributed in eastern and southern Brazil and adjacent areas of Paraguay and Argentina. See the distribution map at xeno-canto. It is found in forest and on forest edges as well as in gardens and parks.

The male has a brilliant violet cap as well as brilliant green underparts. The female on the other hand has a contrasting cap, dirty white underparts and a pale tip to its tail. Although it does eat small insects it feeds primarily on nectar which it extracts with its long tongue (4 cms in length from the base of its 1.8 cm bill)