Although originally described in the genusPhyllastrephus, the red-tailed leaflove was briefly transferred to the former genus Pyrrhurus during the period 2009-2010 by the IOC. Some other authoritiescontinue to classify the red-tailed leaflove in the genus Pyrrhurus. Alternatenames for the red-tailed leaflove include the African leaflove, common leaflove, leaflove and plain leaflove.