The species is now the only species placed in the genus Sericossypha that was introduced in 1844 by René Lesson. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek sērikos meaning "silken" with kossuphos meaning "blackbird".
The species is now the only member of the genus Sericossypha, which was first described in 1844 by René Lesson. The genus name derives from Ancient Greek words: "sērikos" meaning "silken" and "kossuphos" meaning "blackbird."