The Planalto tapaculo (Scytalopus pachecoi) is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Scytalopus, a genus of tapaculos. It was previously included in the mouse-coloured tapaculo (S. speluncae) but was described as a new species in 2005 based on differences in plumage and vocalizations.It is about 12 cm long and weighs around 15 grams. The upperparts are mainly dark grey, the underparts are paler grey. The flanks are buff with dark bars.