The cinnamon-breasted bunting was formally described in 1836 by the Scottish zoologist Andrew Smith under the current binomial name Emberiza tahapisi.

Six subspecies of the cinnamon-breasted bunting have been recognized, including E. t. goslingi, E. t. septemstriata, E. t. arabica, E. t. insularis, E. t. tahapisi, and E. t.

[4] Although plumage differs between juveniles, males, and females,[4][6][8] cinnamon-breasted buntings can be identified by their striped head and cinnamon brown underparts.

[4][8] The throat patch is uniformly black on males but smaller, grayish, and densely blotched on females.

[9] Song similarity decreases with distance between local populations but all end with a characteristic final whistle syllable.

[8][9] Having a very widespread distribution, cinnamon-breasted buntings are found across most of mainland sub-Saharan Africa[4][6][8][10] but avoiding deserts, equatorial forest, and the high altitudes of mountains.

[4] Tail flicks are a common behavior that defines Emberiza and is used while hopping on the ground to make them more conspicuous to mates and other birds.

[12] Fear responses include freezing and observing when the perceived threat level is low, fleeing, and making alarm calls.

[13] Cinnamon-breasted buntings may occasionally enter towns[8] and in some countries they are caught for cagebird trade but adapt well in captivity.