The black bonneted bat is found in southern Mexico, on the island of Jamaica, and through much of Central and South America, as far south as northern Argentina.
It is, however, absent from western Peru and Bolivia, and from Chile.
It inhabits a range of forested habitats throughout this region, from coastal lowlands to the slopes of the Andes at least 1,800 m (5,900 ft) in elevation.
In Brazil, for example, it is said to inhabit every major biome.

Two subspecies are recognised:
E. auripendulus auripendulus - majority of range
E. auripendulus major - eastern and southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina
The black bonneted bat is found in southern Mexico, on the island of Jamaica, and through much of Central and South America, as far south as northern Argentina. It is, however, absent from western Peru and Bolivia, and from Chile. It inhabits a range of forested habitats throughout this region, from coastal lowlands to the slopes of the Andes at least 1,800 m (5,900 ft) in elevation. In Brazil, for example, it is said to inhabit every major biome.
Two subspecies are recognised:
E. auripendulus auripendulus - majority of range
E. auripendulus major - eastern and southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina
Black bonneted bat