2, see text Lesbiinae is one of the six subfamilies that make up the hummingbird family Trochilidae.

[1][2] A molecular phylogenetic study of the hummingbirds published in 2007 found that the family consisted of nine clades.

[3] When Edward Dickinson and James Van Remsen, Jr. updated the Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World for the 4th edition in 2013 they divided the hummingbird family into six subfamilies and proposed using the name Lesbiinae for a subfamily containing the tribes Heliantheini and Lesbiini.

[4][5] Molecular phylogenetic studies by Jimmy McGuire and collaborators published between 2007 and 2014 determined the relationships between the major groups of hummingbirds.

[8] Florisuginae – topazes Phaethornithinae – hermits Polytminae – mangoes Heliantheini – brilliants Lesbiini – coquettes Patagoninae – giant hummingbird Trochilini – emeralds Lampornithini – mountain gems Mellisugini – bees