The species was only described in 1972, and has been the subject of considerable taxonomic confusion. It was initially placed in the greenbul genus Phyllastrephus, and later with the Old World warblers in the genus Bernieria.
A species that was only recognized in 1972 has been a source of considerable taxonomic debate. It was initially assigned to the Phyllastrephus genus, which comprises greenbul birds, and later reclassified into the Bernieria genus, which includes Old World warblers.