genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...
of birds in the sunbird
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
,
Nectariniidae
Sunbirds and spiderhunters make up the family Nectariniidae of passerine birds. They are small, slender passerines from the Old World, usually with downward-curved bills. Many are brightly coloured, often with iridescent feathers, particularly ...
. What
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), 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 ...
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, a ...
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Anabathmis
''Anabathmis'' is a genus of sunbirds. Species
It contains three species:
The name is Greek for ''step'' or ''stair''.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q533630
Bird genera
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Chalcomitra
''Chalcomitra'' 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 ...
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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 ...
Dreptes
The giant sunbird (''Dreptes thomensis'') is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is the only species in the genus ''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 ...