Violet-tailed Sunbird

SCI Name:  Anthreptes aurantius
Protonym:  Anthreptes aurantium Rev.Mag.Zool.(2), 3 p.417
Taxonomy:  Passeriformes / Nectariniidae / Anthreptes
Taxonomy Code:  vitsun1
Type Locality:  Gabon.
Author:  Verreaux, J & Verreaux, E
Publish Year:  1851
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

ANTHREPTES
(Nectariniidae; Ϯ Brown-throated Sunbird A. malacensis) Gr. ανθος anthos  flower, blossom; θρεπτης threptēs  feeder  < τρεφω trephō  to rear; "Genus, ANTHREPTES.  Bill slender, attenuated, minutely crenated; the base of the under mandible strong, and not having the margin hid by that of the upper mandible.  Wings rounded.  Tail even. Inner toe shorter than the external toe.  Type. — Cynniris Javanica. ZOOL. ILLUSTR., iii. pl. 121" (Swainson 1832); "Anthreptes Swainson, 1832, in Swainson and Richardson, Fauna Bor. Amer., 2 (1831), p. 495. Type, by original designation and monotypy, Cinnyris javanica Swainson = Certhia malacensis Scopoli." (Rand in Peters, 1967, XII, p. 209).  
Var. Anthothreptes, Anthreptus, Anthotreptes, Anthorheptes, Authreptes.   
Synon. Arachnophila, Euchloridia, Gunningia, Lamprothreptes, Mangusia, Paradeleornis, Rhizophorornis, Tephrolaema.

aurantium / aurantius
Late Med. L. aurantius  orange-coloured  < aurantia  orange.
● ex “Pic vert des Philippines” of d’Aubenton 1655-1781, pl. 691 (syn. Chrysocolaptes lucidus).
● ex “Orange-breasted Hobby” of Latham 1781 (?syn. Falco rufigularis).
● ex “Little Black-and-orange-coloured Hawk” of Edwards 1743-1751 (syn. Microhierax caerulescens).
● ex “Thrush” of Sloane 1725, and Ray 1713, “Merula jamaicensis” of Brisson 1760, “Merle brun de la Jamaïque” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “White-chinned Thrush” of Latham 1783 (Turdus).
● ex “Orange-headed Honey-sucker” of Pennant 1773, and “Orange-headed Humming-bird” of Latham 1783 (unident.).