Rather local and endemic to highlands of Mexico. Unlike most yellowthroats, not found in marshes. Occurs in brushy scrub and chaparral thickets, where usually quite skulking, but sometimes sings from conspicuous perches. Upperparts and flanks are relatively dark greenish olive. Duskier than Common Yellowthroat, which is a common migrant throughout range of Hooded, but Common are usually near water. Male Hooded has gray border above black mask. Female has a ghosting of male pattern with some grayish on forehead, but can be difficult to distinguish from Common.