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.
The genus Herpsilochmus was introduced by the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis in 1847.[1] The name of genus combines the Ancient Greek words herpō "to creep about" and lokhmē "thicket" or "copse".[2] The type species is the Bahia antwren.[3]