German naturalist Eduard Rüppell first described the yellow-fronted parrot in 1845.

Its species name is derived from the Latin words flavus "yellow", and frons "forehead".

Most recent authorities treat it as monotypic,[3][4][5] but some recognized two slightly different subspecies, P. f. flavifrons and P. f.

Juveniles are duller than the adults with a mostly grey head, brown irises, and only a small amount of yellow on the front of the face including on the forehead.

[6] This parrot is endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands at about 1,000–3,000 metres (3,300–9,800 ft) above sea level.