This small lively bird occurs primarily in the highlands of Isabela, Santa Cruz, Fernandina, Floreana and the other major islands. Both are friendly and easy to approach, and the male's bright red color and black mask is easily distinguished from the pale yellow breast of the female.
Vermilion flycatchers display by flying straight up in the air while chirping steadily.
Though fairly common on the major islands, there is little regional variety between them, indicating a recent dispersal. They too are aggressive, though not unfriendly, and have been known to recruit nest material of human hair from the head of tourists and researchers.