This bulbul occurs in China. It has a black slightly crested crown, brown upperparts, and a yellow vent. The strength of the breast band varies by subspecies. It frequents scrub and tangles, sometimes in noisy flocks.
The crown and nape are slightly crested and black; the ear coverts are brown and the upperparts dull brown. The vent is yellow. The nominate form has a gray-brown breast band, while in andersoni the band is faint or absent.
It is common on hillsides with secondary growth, tangles, and scrub, sometimes in noisy flocks. Its voice includes harsh, rolling whistles and repeated bursts of notes.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.