[2] When describing the Taveuni silktail, Otto Finsch wrote "I scarcely remember a bird which has puzzled me in respect of its generic position so much as this curious little creature".

[5] The genus Lamprolia is named after the diminutive of lampros (Ancient Greek) for splendid or brilliant.

[6] The silktails are small black birds, measuring around 12 centimetres (4.7 in) and weighing 16 to 21 g (0.56–0.74 oz).

The plumage of the male is velvet black with metallic blue iridescent spangling on the crown and breast, and silky white lower-back patch that travels most of the length down the tail.

The female is similar to the male, except less glossy, and immature birds are duller than the adults and may have buffy rumps and backs.