The nigritas, formerly called negrofinches, are small passerine birds belonging to the genus Nigrita in the estrildid finch family Estrildidae.

There are four species which occur in forest, secondary growth and scrubland in West, Central and East Africa.

The bill is short and black and is fairly slender in some species.

The colour of the plumage varies but all have a dark tail.

Nigritas have whistling or trilling songs and calls.