''Nectarinia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of birds in the sunbird

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

, Nectariniidae. What

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

belong to it has been highly contentious for many decades. Towards the late 20th century, the dominant trend was to use it to group all "typical" sunbirds. More recently taxonomists have divided the Nectarinia into eight genera which are now considered distinct from Nectarinia: ''

Leptocoma ''Leptocoma'' is a genus of sunbirds found from tropical South Asia to Papua New Guinea. Its members are sometimes included in '' Nectarinia''. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, altho ...

, Anabathmis, Chalcomitra,

Cinnyris ''Cinnyris'' is a genus of sunbirds. Its members are sometimes included in ''Nectarinia''. They are generally known as double-collared sunbirds because the fringe of their bib usually includes a band of contrastingly coloured feathers. The sunb ...

Cyanomitra ''Cyanomitra'' is a genus of African sunbirds. Its members are sometimes included in ''Nectarinia''. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially ...

, Dreptes, Anthobaphes,'' and

Drepanorhynchus The golden-winged sunbird (''Drepanorhynchus reichenowi'') is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. Three subspecies are recognised. It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Description The male gold ...

Species

The genus now contains six species:

References

Bird genera Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Nectariniidae-stub