The species were traditionally considered aberrant members of the tanager family Thraupidae. Taxonomic studies recover them as a sister group to the Puerto Rican tanager (family Nesospingidae), and some group Spindalidae and Nesospingidae within the Phaenicophilidae.
The species were previously classified as atypical members of the tanager family Thraupidae.  Taxonomic research has revealed them to be a sister group to the Puerto Rican tanager (family Nesospingidae), and some groups Spindalidae and Nesospingidae within the Phaenicophilidae.