Distinctive tapaculo of humid montane forest adjacent to treeline and Polylepis forest in the high Andes in NW Argentina and S Bolivia. Striking white throat distinctive from other tapaculos except White-browed, from which it differs by voice and gray (not brown) hind crown. Generally observed in the open more than other tapaculos, often perching on rocks and ground-level vegetation. Song a quick series two dry notes spaced out, then 3-4 quick dry notes: “pik-pik pr-tr-tr”.