Taxonomy
The systematic affinities of the genus have been a long-standing mystery. The group was originally assigned to the shrikes (Laniidae). In the 1920s James Chapin noted the similarities between the nicators and both the bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) and the bushshrikes (Malaconotidae). It wasn't until 1943 that Jean Théodore Delacour placed the genus with the bulbuls. Storrs Olson argued that the genus was more closely related to the bushshrikes, as the nicators lacked the ossification of the nostril found in all other bulbuls. A number of features, including the position of the facial bristles (which are preorbital rather than rictal), their nests and the calls, make the genus unique, and DNA studies have recently suggested that the genus is best treated as a monogeneric family. Some authorities, like the Clements Checklist, treat accept the new family, Nicatoridae.
The name of the genus is derived from nikator, Greek for conqueror. Within the genus, the Western and Eastern Nicators are considered to form a superspecies and are sometimes treated as the same species.
Read more about this topic: Nicator