Herpsilochmus
Herpsilochmus is a genus of insectivorous passerine birds in the antbird family (Thamnophilidae). They are found in forest, woodland and shrub in South America, although a single species the rufous-winged antwren (H. rufimarginatus) also occurs in Panama. All are relatively small antbirds that are sexually dichromatic. In most (but not all) species males are essentially light grey with a black crown and black-and-white wings, while females are more buff or rufous with black-and-white crown.
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Taxonomy
- Description
- Vocalizations
- Distribution and habitat
- Behavior
- Breeding
- Dispersal
- Conservation
- References
Herpsilochmus is a genus of insectivorous passerine birds in the antbird family (Thamnophilidae). They are found in forest, woodland and shrub in South America, although a single species the rufous-winged antwren (H. rufimarginatus) also occurs in Panama. All are relatively small antbirds that are sexually dichromatic. In most (but not all) species males are essentially light grey with a black crown and black-and-white wings, while females are more buff or rufous with black-and-white crown.
== Taxonomy == The genus Herpsilochmus was introduced in 1847 by the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis. He listed several species in his new genus but did not specify the type. In 1855 George Gray designated the type as Myiothera pileata Lichtenstein, 1823, the Bahia antwren. The name of the genus combines the Ancient Greek ἑρπω/herpō meaning "to creep about" with λοχμη/lokhmē meaning "thicket" or "copse".