Red-cowled Widowbird Euplectes laticauda (including suahelicus) is split from Red-collared Widowbird E. ardens
based on substantial differences in plumage and tail length of males in breeding plumage (del Hoyo & Collar 2016; HBW/BirdLife).
Phylogenetic analysis also demonstrates relatively deep genetic divergence (de Silva et al. 2019).