sentences:  It was the only species of "Cercomela" found outside Africa and its placement was questioned in the past.Molecular phylogenetic studies in 2010 and 2012 found that the genus "Cercomela" was polyphyletic with five species, including the brown rock chat which is nested within the genus "Oenanthe" where it is placed in newer taxonomic treatments.As part of a reorganization of the species to create monotypic genera, the brown rock chat was assigned to the genus "Oenanthe".