It occurs in very wet premontane to montane evergreen forest, forest edge and occasionally scrub, at 1,200-2,000 m (Hilty and Brown 1986, Salaman 1994, Parker et al. 1996, D. Becker in litt. 2014). It is typically found in low, dense vegetation at small clearings or along ridges in primary forest, frequently near small streams, generally at lower altitudes than H. aureliae (del Hoyo et al. 1999).

Haplophaedia lugens occurs on the Pacific slope of the Andes in south-western Colombia (Nariño) and north-western Ecuador (south to Pichincha and Santo Domingo).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Ecuador (Freile et al. 2019) and as Near Threatened in Colombia (Renjifo et al. 2014). It occurs in several protected areas in the range, including La Planada Nature Reserve, Colombia and Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, Ecuador.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to accurately quantify the population size. Monitor the population trend. Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range.