The theory that cherry-throated tanagers are hybrids between hooded and rufous-headed tanagers (Sibley 1996) was discussed by Scott (1997) who tentatively rejected it, but some even were convinced that the type specimen is an artifact composed from skins of other species (Silveira "fide" Bauer "et al." 2000). The field data gathered since then supports the validity of the species, which was definitely rediscovered on February 22, 1998, at the Fazenda Pindobas IV, a privately owned tract of woodland NW of Conceição do Castelo (Bauer "et al." 1998, Pacheco 1998).