The Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager is found in mossy mountain forests, second growth and adjacent bushy clearings, typically from 1600 m altitude to above the timberline. The bulky cup nest is built on bank, in a dense bush, or hidden amongst epiphytes up to 11 m high in a tree. The normal clutch is two pink-brown marked white eggs.
The Pileated Bush Tanager is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Nothing known about the Pileated Bush Tanager